Program Overview
Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) helps the diverse population of New Jersey adapt to a rapidly changing society and improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses science-based knowledge. RCE’s Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) helps people stay healthy, enjoy life, be active, and reduce healthcare costs by combining research and practical advice to improve their health for a better tomorrow. FCHS’s internships allow students to see how everything they have learned in their courses relates to the broader world of public and community health. The goal of the internship is to further students' practical experience while enhancing the work of public and community health. Through the internship, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate an integration of coursework into a real-world setting, preparing them for professional careers and advanced degrees.
FCHS Potential Projects
- Literature Reviews: Support ongoing research through structured literature reviews using provided guides, templates, and systematic review software.
- Newsletter Development: Disseminate research findings, program updates, and community resources to partners and stakeholders across New Jersey.
- Fact Sheet Development: Create accessible public health resources for community partners by translating research into evidence-based, public-facing educational materials.
- Ongoing Research Support: Provide continuous assistance with research projects, data analysis, community outreach materials, and collaborative public health initiatives.
- Communities of Practice: Foster collaboration and shared learning among community organizations and public health partners through quarterly collaborative events.
- Funding Campaign: Identify and organize funding opportunities aligned with NJHCN's four focus areas: maternal, paternal, & caregiver health; mental health; active communities; and food systems.
- Food Access Directory: Develop an interactive, user-friendly directory of food pantries, community gardens, and farmers' markets to improve community access to local food resources.
- Social Media Campaign: Create posts for Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook that translate research into accessible, public-facing content on nutrition, food access, and community health.
- Newsletter: Disseminate research findings, program updates, and community resources to partners and stakeholders across New Jersey.
- Online Resource Directory: Build an online directory of high-quality resources across NJHCN's four focus areas to support community organizations.
- Event Support & Community Outreach: Attend and support community events and farmers market activities to increase access to fresh foods and strengthen community engagement.
- Lesson Planning & Session Support: Support the development and delivery of engaging nutrition education and food demonstrations at partner sites across New Jersey.
Internship Benefits
- A firsthand experience in public and community health work
- Application of classroom knowledge to practical problems in the field Increased competency for a professional career in public and community health
- Design and implementation of a project useful to FCHS and the student Interaction with professionals and becoming knowledgeable about their skills and responsibilities
- Development and expansion of a professional network base
Eligibility and Requirements
The program runs from February - September of each academic year.
To be eligible, students:
- Must be in good academic standing at Rutgers-New Brunswick.
- Must have completed the first year of an undergraduate program relating to public policy, and/or health.
- Must have an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in public policy, public health, or a related field.
Application
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Rydel, Assistant Dean.