You're a healthcare student looking to improve your skills. How can internships help you achieve that?

1 Benefits of internships

Internships can offer many benefits for healthcare students, such as exposing them to different healthcare fields and specialties to help them discover interests and passions, or confirm career goals. It also provides an opportunity to network with professionals, mentors, and peers who can offer feedback, guidance, and support. Additionally, internships are a great way to develop technical, interpersonal, and soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. Finally, internships can enhance resumes and portfolios to showcase achievements, competencies, and potential to employers and educators.

2 Types of internships

Healthcare students have a variety of internships to choose from, depending on their level of education, field of study, and career aspirations. Clinical internships involve working directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider in settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or community health centers. These internships can help to hone clinical skills such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and documentation, as well as empathy, compassion, and professionalism. Research internships involve conducting or assisting with scientific research under the guidance of a faculty member or researcher in laboratories, universities, or research institutes. These internships can help develop research skills such as literature review, data collection, analysis and presentation as well as curiosity, creativity and innovation. Administrative internships involve performing or supporting administrative tasks under the direction of a manager or coordinator in healthcare organizations, agencies or departments. These internships can help develop administrative skills such as planning, organizing budgeting and reporting as well as leadership, collaboration and communication.

3 How to find internships

Finding internships can be challenging, but not impossible. To help you find internships in healthcare, it's important to plan ahead and apply as soon as possible, ideally 6 months before you want to start one. Research different sources of information, such as your school's career center, online platforms, industry associations, or alumni networks, to find out about available internships, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines. Additionally, tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and achievements for each internship you apply for. Demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position and the organization, and explain how you can contribute and learn from the experience. If you are invited for an interview, prepare yourself by researching the organization, reviewing your resume and portfolio, and practicing common interview questions and scenarios. When the time comes to attend the interview, dress professionally, be punctual, confident and courteous.