Internships

The value of internships

Internships are a key part of your college experience, giving you the chance to explore career interests, apply what you’re learning in class to real-world settings, and build skills that make you stand out after graduation. At a school that values public health practice, internships and hands-on learning are especially important. Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, internships can fit into your academic plan—and even if they’re not required, they’re a smart way to gain experience, grow professionally, and get a clearer sense of your career path.

By the numbers

Internships and experiential learning are highly valued by employers during the hiring process, lead to higher starting salaries, and greater career satisfaction, as highlighted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):

84.4% of employers rank candidates higher if they’ve completed an internship in their industry, and 73.4% do so for internships within their organization (NACE 2025 Job Outlook).
87.8% of interns reported that they acquired skills that they wouldn’t have learned in the classroom (NACE 2024 Student Survey).
The average starting salary for experiential learners was $15,000 more than non-experiential learners (NACE 2024 Early Career Talent Survey).
81.3% of experiential learners reported higher levels of career satisfaction compared to 72.6% of non-experiential learners (NACE 2024 Early Career Talent Survey).

A closer look

Course Credit: Are you curious whether your academic major requires an internship for graduation? Unsure of which course to enroll in? Meet with your academic advisor to discuss program requirements and internship course numbers. Then, look up the internship course number to learn about the details of the internship requirements, including steps to take before, during, and after the internship. Look up SPH-B internship courses.

Internship Coordinators in SPH-B: Each program has an Internship Coordinator who directs all aspects of the internship requirements.
List of SPH-B Internship Coordinators.

First things first: Reflect on your priorities
Before starting your internship search, take some time to identify your priorities and goals. Start by completing this exercise: Determine Internship Priorities Exercise
Research Prospective Employers
Create a list of organizations that interest you. Talk to faculty, alumni, and career coaches, and use the Internship Portal to help build your list. Then, research these organizations for internship postings and alumni who work in these organizations.
Build and Leverage your Network
Network with alumni and individuals working in your field. Engage in informational interviews, career fairs, employer sessions, and site visits to build and leverage your network.
SPH-B Internship Portal
The Internship Portal is a searchable database of organizations that have previously hosted SPH-B students. Note: This is not a list of currently posted positions. It is a resource for learning about organizations with experience hosting SPH-B students and are "warm connections" for you to reach out to. To utilize the portal, follow these steps:
- Go to https://internships.publichealth.indiana.edu/students/search.html
- Enter relevant keywords into the search box (for ex: sport marketing, community health, etc.) and click Search
- Sort by most recent enrollment semester
- Review results and research organizations of interest
Handshake, LinkedIn, and other professional job boards
Career Fairs and Networking Events
SPH-B Career Services and Indiana University host many career fairs and networking events on campus. These are important events to attend and connect with employers about internships. Log in to Handshake to review and register for these events.
Professional Associations
Research professional associations in your career field to learn more about internships, opportunities, and organizations.
Meet with a Career Coach
Schedule an appointment in Handshake with a career coach to discuss your interests, internship goals, and target organizations.

Internships are just one way to build marketable experience. You can also build key skills through these experiences:

International students interested in completing an internship should also review this information on work authorization from the Office of International Services at IU: Work authorization information

Internships

The value of internships

By the numbers

A closer look

Internship Requirements

How to Look for Internships

Beyond Internships: Get Involved and Build Your Skills

International Students and Internships