What organization did you intern with? What was your role?
Trust for America's Health [TFAH], government relations intern
Where was your internship located?
Washington, D.C.
What is your career goal?
Equitable and accessible mental health policy.
What was your internship funding source?
Paid Internship.
What were your duties/responsibilities during your internship?
I drafted regulatory letters and policy briefs to effectively communicate organizational positions to policymakers and stakeholders to support strategic public health advocacy efforts.
I also attended briefings, hearings, and meetings on Capitol Hill and at health-related government agencies to stay informed on legislative developments and contribute insights to TFAH’s organizational strategy.
What did you take away from your experience as an intern? What was the value of the internship to you?
I gained a lot of exposure to Capitol Hill and government organizations, which gave me a good idea of what my future career options could be. I have mainly worked on behavioral health and health equity, but I got a lot of exposure to the CDC/ASPR [Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response] and infectious diseases with the Ten-Year Commemoration of the Ebola Outbreak Containment and a Reflection on CDC’s Response, and all the latest updates on the H5N1 avian flu outbreak in cattle herds. This solidified my interest in health policy and allowed me to make meaningful connections in D.C.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your internship? What was the most challenging aspect? The most surprising aspect?
The most rewarding aspect of my internship was getting to go to the Hill and attend important events concerning various aspects of health policy (infectious disease, behavioral health, environmental health, equity, etc.) and meet with various government organizations (ASPR, CDC, SAMHSA, etc.). I also loved the team I was a part of; it was a good example of a healthy collaborative work environment.
How has YSPH prepared you for this internship?
Mark [Schlesinger]'s Health Policy and Health Politics and Governance classes prepared me for all the policy memos/briefs I had to write. [TFAH Executive Vice President and assistant clinical professor adjunct, social and behavioral sciences] Tekisha Everette's [MPH ’23 (SBS)] Advocacy and Activism class prepared me for all the congressional hearings I attended.
What would you say to a student who’s considering a similar internship?
Ask questions and attend everything that interests you!