Career Goal
I would like to work in domestic health policy advocacy, research, and analysis for an organization that values health justice. My ultimate career goal is to help organize a successful campaign to enact a single-payer health care system in the U.S. that provides affordable, high-quality health care for all people.
Internship Outline
My primary responsibility was to support Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines campaigns. This included joining calls with partners, researching topics such as global vaccine tech transfer, domestic public health funding, and the U.S. and international governments’ response to monkeypox, and providing analysis on these topics.
Value of Experience
This internship taught me how incredibly influential U.S. health policy is to global health, and the ways the U.S. government and corporations are complicit in putting profit and power over the health of the people. It was incredibly valuable to work directly with organizations that were taking on giants to achieve progress in global access to medicine.
Best Moment/Experience
The most rewarding aspect of this internship was being at the frontline of so many incredible public health developments, such as the opening of global south covid manufacturing hubs and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The most challenging aspect was seeing firsthand the concessions many organizations and activists have to make to get policy passed in the U.S. The most surprising aspect was how involved the whole team made sure I was throughout the summer, which is not always guaranteed.
How did your first year at YSPH prepare you for this internship?
My first-year courses and experiences were very helpful in preparing me for this internship. Everything I learned in my first year allowed me to hit the ground running immediately in my internship because I already had an understanding of public health history, economics, and the major players in the field.
What would you say to a student who’s considering a similar internship?
Strike a balance between learning as much as possible from the people you work with and speaking up with your own ideas. Remember that you bring expertise and knowledge to your host organization; don’t be afraid to share it!
Funding Source
YSPH Summer Funding.