If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and want to participate in an undergraduate internship program, start your search process early. Look for an internship that will give you experience in the niche where you want to work. There’s a great demand for healthcare management professionals right now, and students who complete an internship will be most attractive to employers after graduation. Here are five healthcare management internship opportunities that can help you get your foot in the door when you start your job search.
1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital Student Internships
Boston, MA
This is a practical internship that will give you hands-on experience in a hospital management setting. The objective is to help you develop a hospital management skill set that you can use to secure a full time entry-level position after graduation. US News and World Report ranked Brigham and Women’s Hospital as 9th Best Honor Roll Hospital in 2014.
2. Molina Healthcare Internship Program
Long Beach, CA
In cooperation with California State University in Long Beach, CA, Molina Healthcare offers a limited number of graduate and undergraduate internships every year. Students get hands-on experience, formal training and sponsorship by a mentor in areas like project management, human resources and IT healthcare systems. Students are groomed to step into professional leadership positions after graduation, so they participate in social networking events, leadership lunches and professional development workshops.
3. Bristol-Myers Squibb Paid Summer Internships And Six-Month Co-ops
New York, NY
Graduate and undergraduate paid internships and six-month paid educational co-op programs are offered by Bristol Myers Squibb every year in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. Bristol-Myers Squibb interns participate in health-related projects which they later present to management. Students are given the opportunity to network with company employees while participating in healthcare-related assignments and gaining industry experience. Housing assistance is available.
4. Boston Scientific Summer Internships And Six-Month Co-ops
Marlborough, MA
At Boston Scientific, graduate and undergraduate internships and six-month co-ops offer students a unique opportunity to participate in projects that aim to find workable solutions for global healthcare problems. Interns gain real-life healthcare experience, and every program is geared to a different career path. Students at Boston Scientific gain practical experience, exposure and further education in their areas of interest.
5. Health Career Connection (HCC) Paid Internships
Oakland, CA
Undergraduates and recent graduates are eligible for HCC paid internships in areas like health care administration, public and community health, nursing administration and clinical practice administration. Each intern receives a mentor who provides opportunities to work on projects, attend meetings, participate in workshops and learn more about HCC. Interns are treated as apprentices and exposed to all aspects of the organization to help them decide which area of expertise would interest them most. Interns participate in projects related to their own areas of interest but are also expected to visit projects where their fellow interns are stationed so they can learn about areas of healthcare management other than their own.
Related: Top 10 Online Health Administration Degree Progams – Bachelor’s
The biggest mistake students make is waiting until senior year to start looking for an internship. There’s a lot of competition for healthcare management internships, so the openings are posted early enough to give students plenty of time complete the application process and go on interviews before graduation. Students who are high achievers and at the top of their classes should begin the internship application process by the end of junior year at the latest. The most prestigious internships are usually with large, multinational corporations. These positions come with the best perks and are filled very quickly. The students who get accepted are those who apply early and have the most to offer.
