Internship Tips and Professional Etiquette

Searching for an internship can be stressful, especially in a 2-year academic program. This page will provide information on securing an internship for the Applied Practice Experience (APE) or if you want to gain general experience outside of the APE course. Internships can be either paid or unpaid. However, both options allow you to apply what you have learned in class to the public health field.


Career Connection Center

Personalized Career Planning Appointments

The Career Connection Center provides Master of Public Health students with a Career Pathway Manager for Healthcare and Health Sciences. MPH students can make career planning appointments with the Career Pathway Manager to discuss various topics, such as finding experience, help with interviews, and job and internship strategies.

UF Career Hub

Through the Career Hub, you will find a range of features tailored to meet the specific needs of UF students, including:

  1. Access to Job Market Data: Powered by LightCast, this tool provides real-time labor market insights, salary data, in-demand skills, and more. This valuable resource will assist you in guiding students on their career paths.
  2. Exploration of Open Jobs/Internships: Discover current job and internship opportunities with employers actively recruiting from within the University of Florida community through our Gator CareerLink system. This feature enables you to connect students with relevant openings.
  3. Career Development Tools: Utilize tools like Quinncia, an interactive artificial intelligence-based platform that aids in resume building and interview preparation, and the Gator Network, the official online community connecting UF students and alumni for networking and professional development.
  4. Engagement with Career Pathways: Our improved Career Pathways community pages offer valuable resources, including recommended LinkedIn Learning classes, employment simulations, and career videos specific to various industries.
  5. Assistance in Key Career Development Areas: Find support for creating resumes and interview preparation, empowering you to guide students effectively.

Where to Start

The process looks different for everyone, but here are some general guidelines for starting your internship search.

  • Determine your career goals. Think about public health fields that you want to explore and what skills you want to learn. Take free personal assessments here.
  • Define what your requirements and needs are. Do you need paid experience? Do you need to work remotely? How many hours can you commit to?
  • Edit your resume and CV with the most up-to-date information.
  • Begin your search by utilizing all of your resources. Consult your current connections and explore the internet.
  • Apply earlier than later to be at the top of the applicant pool.

How to Reach Out

One of the best ways to connect with professionals is by sending a cold email. A cold email is a personalized email to someone you do not have a prior connection with. Perfecting a customized template for cold emails is essential when expressing interest in an organization that does not know who you are. You effectively put your foot in the door by initiating the first contact and establishing a relationship.

Before sending a cold email:

  • Check for grammatical and spelling errors.
  • Ensure that your voice sounds respectful and professional. The professional communication guide is an excellent resource for that!
  • Use a professional email signature. There is a UF template linked below as an example.

The Application Process

Resources for Professional Documents

How to Ace Your Interview

  • Do your research on the organization.
  • Dress professionally.
  • Practice answering generic interview questions.
  • Be prepared to ask questions.
  • Take notes throughout your interview.

After the Interview

Phew, now the hard part is over! Send the hiring committee a “thank you” email at least 24 hours after your interview.