About DSHS
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been restructured to sharpen our focus on public health. Our job is to promote and protect the health of people, and the communities where they live, learn, work, worship, and play. We understand no single entity working by itself can improve the health of all across Texas. We must all work together to create a better system that includes prevention, intervention, and effective partnerships.
Why Intern with DSHS?
DSHS internships provide students hands-on experience working on real world public health projects that benefit Texans. DSHS has hosted interns across the agency in areas ranging from epidemiology, data analysis, communications, nursing and more.
Along with the intern project and day-to-day work, DSHS provides additional educational and networking opportunities to expose students to the varied work of DSHS as well as the many career paths in public health. Multiple interns have gone on to full-time staff roles at the agency.
DSHS Internships
Maternal and Child Health Nutrition Intern
The DSHS Maternal and Child Health Unit (MCHU) has identified the need to improve nutrition across the life course across the state of Texas. The chosen strategy to meet this need is to assist providers, state and community partners, and regional staff’s obesity prevention efforts by providing obesity prevention information and resources that support the child, adolescent, and children with special health care needs (CSHCN) population. An intern would assist in this initiative though the creation of educational resources targeted to families, community partners, and state regional staff across the state of Texas. Upon completion of the internship, the student will be able to: 1. Describe the organization, administration, and program activities of the MCHU and the Child and Adolescent Health Branch, 2. Report on the role of the state health department and partners in creating/disseminating a statewide nutrition education toolkit initiative, and 3. Research and interpret evidence-based prevention strategies on obesity prevention and reduction as well as nutrition education. See our online posting for more details!
EMS/Trauma Systems – Medical Advisory Board Project Intern
The purpose of this internship is to advance the development of the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) Program under the EMS/Trauma Systems (EMS/TS). The MAB Program at DSHS provides opinions on the ability of a license holder to operate a motor vehicle safely or to exercise sound judgement on the proper use and storage of a handgun based on the requests submitted by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) of the State of Texas. The assigned intern(s) will work under the supervision of the EMS/TS Section and the MAB to develop and evaluate the program. The intern will assist with the continued development of the MAB guidelines utilized by staff and the physicians of the MAB. Must be able to maintain confidentially of all information related to the areas of responsibility. See our online posting for more details!
Public Health Workforce Development Intern
The Center for Public Health Policy and Practice intern will work with the Office of Practice and Learning and the Office of Public Health Policy and Practice to research public health training and create content for a Public Health Workforce Training Website. The intern will have the opportunity to gain skills in the following areas:
- policy development/program planning
- communication
- public health science
- systems thinking
- health equity
Finally, the intern will gain valuable insights on the Texas Public Health system and public health workforce development best practices. See our online posting for more details!
Digital Health Communications Intern
Looking for intern with strong digital communications skills, e.g. social media, design, writing, design, and/or video, to join our small but mighty communications team. This position will assist with management of agency Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages, and related health messaging strategies. Position will also have opportunity to work on myriad health promotion and behavior change campaigns, e.g. adolescent vaping, obesity, chronic disease, etc. See our online posting for more details!
Data Analytics Intern
Analyze financial information submitted by Grantees during fiscal compliance reviews. Work with data analytics software to develop standard testing procedures to identify areas of risk. Summarize and present data in tables & graphs for management use. See our online posting for more details!
Public Health Finance Intern
This internship opportunity is aimed at providing finance/business majors an opportunity to analyze financial data related to public health entities across the state. Working with data analytics software, the intern will develop a report that outlines public health finance trends from FY2000 to FY2020. See our online posting for more details!
How To Apply
Before applying, applicants should view the available internships on the Available Internships page. You can find the project descriptions and applicant qualifications on this page to find internships that fit your interests and qualifications. You can apply for up to three internships on the online application.
The online application will ask you to attach your resume and letter of interest, so please have those prepared before filling out the application.
The letter of interest should be approximately a one-page document that covers why you are interested in interning with DSHS and how your skills and experiences fit the internship projects to which you are applying.
NOTE: Some internship projects may need additional information. If so, the respective DSHS office will reach out to you requesting that information.
If you have any questions about the internship program, please email internships@dshs.texas.gov.
