Daily Archives: February 26, 2016

Unither Internship Profile

United Therapeutics is a biotechnological company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with chronic and life-threatening cardiovascular, cancerous, and infectious diseases. In the summer, Unither provides three levels of summer employment for students at the college and graduate school level – Advanced Degree Interns, Interns, and Seasonal Support Associates. Depending on the completion of the job description for the potential internship I may receive, I will either apply to work as an Intern or Seasonal Support Associate.

Interns are college students that will work on a project related to their major or department. They will assist their team with specific tasks related to their department, enriching their education on how their department supports the overall institution. By the end of their 90-day employment, interns are expected to have worked on and completed a presentable project. A full internship will have an hourly salary rate of $15.00. However, it is unlikely that I will receive this level of summer employment because most interns are rising junior and senior undergraduates. Therefore, I expect to work as a Seasonal Support Associate, offering administrative support to an assigned team. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, filing, scanning, making binders, data entry, copying documents, etc. Meanwhile, associates will have exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and may work specifically in a desired field. The position that I will be applying for will have some application to the field of psychology and neuroscience.

Similar to Interns, Seasonal Support Associates will commit to 90 calendar days of employment at an hourly pay of $11.00. Nonetheless, Unither is flexible and offers breaks to its employees, as needed. Both interns and associates will begin working on either May 30th or June 13th, depending on their particular job. Orientation and any necessary training will occur around these dates.

Credentials and academic requirements are less robust for associates than for interns. Students must be 18 years of age with the intention of pursuing either a Masters or PhD. Other related academia is not required but preferred in the application process. Notwithstanding, a cover letter and CV are necessary along with a letter of recommendation prepared upon request. An interview process is also expected to follow any promising application.

Overall, the option of working at Unither this summer will prove beneficial in expanding my work experience in a professional, medical business. In terms of accessibility, the company location is a mere 20-minute driving distance from my house. I will have easy access to transportation to and from the Research Triangle everyday since my mother will also be traveling to Unither for work. In addition, I have previously visited the company and find the work environment to be very clean, safe, and comfortable. An internship at Unither will be most practical and of minimal cost. In contrast, working as an associate will not directly relate to my field of interest. Until the job description is developed, I will not know exactly what I will be applying for. Another concern is that both starting dates are during the final weeks of UNC summer school in which I plan to attend. If flexibility is permitted and I am able to commence three days after standard orientation, then I will have no other time conflicts with the internship. Unfortunately, by accepting the internship, I will not have much free time to travel in the summer.

I still have yet to know of the application deadline as well as the weekly hours of work, end date of employment, and specific job description.

Claudia Foubert

Internship Profile

I plan to be a shadow in my aunt’s Private Dentistry Clinic in Amman Jordan over the summer. The shadowing term will last in the period of June 15-July 30. I will accompany my aunt to the clinic whenever she goes during this time. It will be up to her discretion the amount of hours I spend shadowing each day. Daily tasks include the shadowing, involving observation of the dentist in practice, working at the desk to manage scheduling and minor errands upon instruction of the dentist, and interacting and communicating with patients as to satisfy their needs.

There are no academic requirements for this specific trip as it is an informal opportunity; however, a resume and CV, as well as a cover letter will be provided. I will also translate these documents into Arabic so there will exist both English and Arabic forms. The only requirement other requirement is that I be at least proficient in Arabic.

There exists no post-internship presentation or product which I must produce due to the informality of the opportunity.

The main advantage of this opportunity is that it is a private practice located in a foreign country. The fact that it is a private practice allows for an informal atmosphere in which greater interpersonal interactions can take place with the professional and patients. I would not be limited to mere office work, instead actively experiencing the operations taking place. The opportunity also allows for practice of foreign language and cross cultural communication.

This opportunity is not structured through any organization. As such, I will not be able to apply for experiential education credit nor gain any certifications. I will gain experience and exposure to medical practice. The variability in hours is typical of informal shadowing and does not guarantee a set number of hours, necessitating flexibility in my personal scheduling to meet the needs of the dentist.

In terms of lodging, I will be staying at my grandmother’s house in Amman for the whole stay. I will receive transportation two alternate ways. When my aunt is able, she will accommodate me with rides to the clinic. If she requests that I arrive while she is already at the clinic, I will take a taxi. If I am dismissed for the day from my work before my aunt leaves, I will also take a taxi on return. This work is strictly unpaid volunteering, where exposure is the primary gain. As I will be lodging with my grandmother, food is provided. The cost of one round trip plane ticket is $1800. Aside from this, I will need taxi fare, which should not exceed $30 over the course of the shadowing. There are no other costs directly associated with this opportunity.

Summer Medical and Dental Education Program

The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program desires to increase the representation of minorities in the medical field by providing a program that enriches and prepares students. This program takes place in various locations; the one I am particularly interested in is at Duke University. The program lasts from June 4th to July 16th, which provides an extra time window for anything else I desire to do.

Daily work may include clinical exposure, academic enrichment, career development, or health policy seminars. Individual advising will also be available, as well as financial planning workshops. Pre-medical sciences, math, writing, and learning skills will be addressed, as well as methods for studying.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must have a grade point average that is at least 2.5. Applicants must be a current freshman or sophomore in college, and be a U.S. citizen or hold a permanent resident visa. It is important to note that SMDEP makes decisions on a “first come, first served basis”, so applying as early as possible is incredibly advantageous.
While these are the requirements, there are also considerations that may improve the chance of getting into the program. Applicants that identify with a group that is racially or ethnically underrepresented in medicine have priority because this speaks to the mission of this program. Economically or educationally disadvantaged students are additionally taken more into consideration. Outstanding applicants also tend to exhibit an interest in issues affecting underserved communities.

Financially, this program greatly benefits me. I am provided with a $600 stipend, as well as free housing on Duke campus. Meals are mostly covered as well. If I decide to apply to this program but at a different location, I could additionally be provided with $200 to cover travel expenses.
As a pre-med student, SMDEP has various advantages that I appreciate. If I apply to the Duke University location, it would be convenient because it is only 5 minutes away from home. (I’m sure my mom would appreciate this too.) Additionally, it would prepare me for the unknown. Trying to reach my career goal is challenging as a first generation student and I need all the guidance I can get. There is an incredible amount of information I have yet to uncover, and I presume SMDEP will guide me to learn about the essential details. This program would not only provide me with clinical exposure but also assistance in subjects I need to excel in for medical school. I also particularly enjoy the length of the program. It allows me to include any other activity I may want to strive for, like a part time job or the continuation of my research I do here at UNC.

The deadline for this program is March 1st, but I plan to apply next year due to previously made plans and the decreased likelihood of getting accepted this current year. However, I believe it would provide an immense amount of guidance, as well as experience, so it is a program I wouldn’t want to disregard.

Health Promotion Internship

Medical Mutual is a company that provides professional liability insurance to physicians, hospitals, and other health care institutions. Medical Mutual stays ahead of the curve by developing resources that minimize risk exposures and ensure compliance and been voted best for 12 consecutive years. Currently the company is accepting applications for the Health Promotion Internship this summer, in the Raleigh office.

As an intern for Medical Mutual this summer, I would be exposed to many areas related to public health. I would asses health education needs, review claims data, identify resources for health education programs, and be exposed to the facilitation and implantation of health education in participating practices across North Carolina. I would be working in an office setting; mostly doing independent work, but sometimes working in a group. As an intern in this company, I wouldn’t just be getting coffee; I would be doing something relevant and important for medical professionals. From this internship, I will gain an understanding of the legal matters concerning medical professionals and what exactly health education is.

The internship lasts for 10-12 weeks, running from May to August. I have emailed Jason Horay at Jason.Horay@mmicnc.com about creating my own work schedule and am waiting for a response. The company suggests a total of 35-40 hours of work per week for this internship. I have also emailed Mr. Horay about the payment for this internship. The job description didn’t mention any payment, so I’m thinking it’s not a paid program. Because the office is located in Raleigh, I will be able to stay at home and commute daily. I will need money for gas and food, but none for the internship itself.

This internship has many requirements. The applicant must be pursuing a degree in health promotion, worksite wellness, public health or something else relevant to this area. The applicant must have good communication skills, both oral and written, and must display a high level of professionalism. The application must also be highly motivated, organized and self-directed. An online application must be filled out in order to be considered for the internship position. Along with the application, the company requires a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation. The application is due on March 1, 2016.

I am very interested in the medical field and hope to attend medical school after college. Although not directly in a medical setting, this position will allow me to be in an environment related to the health field. I will be exposed to areas and information that I previously wouldn’t have thought of as related to the medical world. This internship will allow me to understand and be exposed to the less common aspects of the health field. Furthermore, I am interested in the Gillings School of Public Health and I believe this internship will give me a better understanding of public health. The main drawback to this internship is the lack of payment. However, I’m not too worried about that because I will be gaining experience and knowledge that will be very beneficial for my future.

American Foundation for AIDS Research Internship Summary

Ashu Mishra

I am looking to apply for the Allan Rosenfield Internship at the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR). The internship site will be in the heart of Washington D.C, and is extremely competitive with only six total graduate and undergraduate acceptances. Despite the competition, I believe that I have a chance at acceptance due to my prior tuberculosis policy research in India. This internship offers me an incredible opportunity to step into the working world of American health policy, and will allow me to directly impose political pressure on key politicians to improve HIV/AIDS management.

During the internship, I will be involved in HIV/AIDS policy writing, research, and advocacy from the first day. The policy writing consists of conducting my own original writing and research related to domestic and global HIV/AIDS epidemics. I will have the chance to co-author and publish policy papers on specific issues such as treatment eligibility, especially for uninsured Americans. My work will also be published by the D.C. Public Policy office.

After co-drafting the policy bills, I will then work with graduate student fellows and other undergraduate interns to advocate the decided policy to members of Congress and their staff. Getting a politician to propose a bill in Congress is the final step in having any policy passed. The policy can be directed to both state and federal politicians to propose in their constituencies. I feel that amFAR’s focus on advocacy provides a rare and invaluable opportunity to make connections to professionals working in fields I aspire to enter. Lastly, I will also be responsible for regularly organizing meetings and conferences with amFAR advisors, and participating in community briefings.

The Allan Rosenfield Internship lasts for three months and constitutes full time employment with pay. Start and end dates are negotiable. To be eligible, I must be an undergraduate student with good academic standing – which I am so far. The application requires a resume including GPA from college, a writing sample (no more than 2000 words), a cover letter describing my interest in AIDS policy, and scores from any relevant standardized tests.

Some strengths of this program are that it provides me unparalleled health policy-making experience, and it allows me to try my hand at policy drafting and advocacy. It also pays me, and will allow me to get critical guidance and connections that I will need to progress in health policy.

The only major weakness of the program is that it is located in D.C, so I will have to use most of the payment to provide for my housing. The work itself is ideal for my prospective career path, and D.C. is likely to remain the main site of my internships and jobs.

I hope to use this internship as a stepping-stone to international health policy work. The leaders at amFAR have experience crafting health policy abroad, and I aim to use their network to progress in various policy areas. The Allan Rosenfield internship provides the ideal summer opportunity for my continued growth and field experience, and I hope to grow in character as well as academically through my work.

Merz Healthcare Profile.

After weighing all of my options, I have decided that Merz healthcare company is the company for me. Merz healthcare is not like regular healthcare companies, it specifies in dermatology and the neurosciences. Their mission is to develop and commercialize innovative, high-quality treatment solutions in aesthetics, dermatology and neurosciences in the U.S. and Canada. I have decided that this would likely be the best opportunity for me considering that I plan on going into the field of dermatology. Merz has healthcare facilities not only in the United States, but also has facilities in Canada. If chosen, I will be a part of the Raleigh, North Carolina facility.

Merz is offering an amazing program for undergraduate students in the area. The internship is going to last approximately ten weeks. The duration is going to be about late May to early August. This is a fulltime, hourly internship opportunity. During these ten weeks, the interns will have many amazing opportunities to get their feet wet and experience dermatology and neuroscience up close and personal. Each of the interns will be assigned a mentor for the ten weeks. The mentors are going to be a guide for the interns. We will be working with them as well as other interns to complete projects and see all of what Merz has to offer.

There are a few qualifications that applicants must meet in order to earn the Internship with Merz. The first would be that every applicant must be enrolled in a graduate program or be a junior or senior in their undergraduate program. All applicants must also be able to pass a background check as well as drug testing before prior to employment. The only additional paperwork that will need to be submitted with the application would be either a resume or a cv.

Merz has many interesting and helpful activities already planned out for their interns. They will be working with mentors as well as each other to complete community service projects, lunch and learns with executive leaders, cross functional training opportunities, as well as networking events. There are many things that could come from interning with Merz. One thing that stood out to me the most was the networking events and the lunch and learns with executive leaders. You can be a part of this internship and other internships as well as opportunities could come out of it. Not only will we be able to see whether dermatology or neurosciences are for us, but we will get to see if the work load, commitment, etc. is feasible for us.

The pros for this internship is that it is exactly what I am looking for. There are not many dermatologist in the field so to get an internship with a company that specializes in dermatology is like a dream come true. There are many ways to make connections through Merz and many opportunities that are too good to pass up. Since it is located and Raleigh and close to home, there are no room or board fees. There is no cost to be an intern whatsoever. I am not 100% sure whether or not the internship is paid, but I believe that it is.

Internship Profile for UNC REX Healthcare

I decided to apply to be a volunteer at UNC REX Healthcare. I plan to start in the fall of 2016 if I am accepted. At UNC REX Healthcare, their college volunteer program offers students hands-on experience while working in a professional health care environment. UNC Hospitals are some of the best hospitals in the nation and I would love to get the chance to volunteer there. This would be a great opportunity to actually learn more about the health care field. As a pre-med student at Chapel Hill, I plan to go medical school and work in the medical field. Volunteering at this hospital would allow me to see what it’s like to be a health care professional and the daily activities that they do. I like doing volunteer work and helping the community so this seems like the perfect fit for me.

At UNC Healthcare I could working in a variety of departments including working patient care floors, culinary and nutrition services, work in the pharmacy, physical therapy, or same-day surgery based on availability. With the fall and spring semester program, I must be willing to commit to volunteering two semesters, 12 week each semester. If I change my mind and decide to volunteer this summer, I must be willing to work 10 weeks. If I work in a clerical area I could potentially work from 5pm to 9pm. I would only have to work one four-hour shift once a week. The clinical volunteer opportunities are available Monday-Friday 8am to 12pm or 12pm to 4pm.

The requirements for this volunteering position are completely doable. The only thing I would have to do would be to complete orientation guidelines and be trained in my job-specific area in which they would assign me a job area based on availability first, then I’d get to choose which area if there were more than one open position. I would have to complete a drug screening, adhere to all UNC REX Healthcare policies and procedures, including dress code, be responsible for finding replacements when unavailable for my assigned shift, and complete a health assessment to screen for TB, Pertussis, Chicken Pox and Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

The application requirements only include answering the Application Questions, a submission of two references from adults who are familiar with my work ethic and character, and a resume. There won’t be any presentations due at the end of the volunteering period.

The volunteering position is of course unpaid. It counts toward community service hours and possibly getting an EE credit. The only costs I would have for this position would be the uniform fee which is $12 and transportation costs like gas or bus fees, Depending on which location I decide to work at. There is no room and board for the summer program, I would just have to commute from on campus housing or from my residence back home.

Overall, I would say that this a very good program. The strengths outweigh the weaknesses so this is definitely something that I would be interested in doing. I would be getting hands-on experience in an educative and professional environment. I actually enjoy working with people so getting to work with people is a plus for me. With either location I chose to work at it is close to home. The fee for the uniform is reasonable. The only weakness I found with this volunteering program is that it could potentially be somewhat time consuming depending on how I can formulate my schedule for next school year or this summer.

Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network Mission Trip

Growing up in the United States is a very privileged opportunity that I was able to obtain thanks to my parents’ hard work and dedication. However, while trying to adjust to a new culture, I was losing my connection to my Filipino culture gradually. Due to this fact, I have chosen a mission trip that would help me get back in touch with something that really defines me as a person.

Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network is a national Filipino youth and student led relief network that was built in response to Typhoon Haiyan, which, as one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, devastated parts of Southeast Asia. One of the areas that took a large portion of damage was the Philippines. This group is launching their third annual mission trip from June 30th to July 26th this summer. In this mission trip, the selected participants’ purpose is “to continue building with our kababayans (countrymen) back home to fight against climate change and its root causes in the Philippines and serve the communities of typhoon survivors and indigenous people.” They will travel to the affected areas and attempt to increase the inhabitants’ poor quality of life, which will help them experience the Filipino culture.

The application requirements are informal in comparison to the other internships I have researched. The first part of the application asks for basic information such as my name, phone number, email, address, and organization/ school. The next part are the questions, which asked me to write a blurb about myself and what my reason was for applying. The third part asked about any health concerns that I had. The applications are reviewed during the months of February and March. If selected, representatives will contact the applicants for an interview. Those who passed the interview will be notified by the end of March. If selected, the next following months will be for preparation. For example, the participants will have to attend mandatory retreats. There are no academic requirements or credentials.

This mission trip has many strengths. As stated prior, this will help me connect to my Filipino culture. Despite being in many Filipino groups in the United States, I have felt that I need to be in the Philippines to truly understand my culture. I have visited the Philippines twice since I moved to the United States and during those visits, I have felt as if I reconnected to my culture. However, my last visit was six years ago and due to financial constraints, there is no way I can go back in the near future with my family, but this trip pays for basic necessities such as housing, food, and transportation. Therefore, it may be cheaper than a regular vacation. Additionally, this will help me with my career. I want to travel the world as a surgeon and provide my services to those in need. This can help me decide if I really am interested in this line of work or not and give me firsthand experience.

The weaknesses of this trip are mainly due to money. This trip costs $500, which covers housing, food, and transportation. However, this does not cover airfare. Tickets during this time can go up to $2000 for one person. Additionally, I would need to be provided extra money for emergencies and other things. Due to this, the costs may increase to $3000+. I do not have a job so I’m planning to work this semester and in the summer to try to obtain that money. My parents may also have to provide a huge majority of the funds. Due to the costs, my parents are very hesitant in allowing me to go. Another weakness would be the long duration of this trip. I will have to cancel any plans I have for that month and miss any events that will occur during that time.

Some information was withheld from the application. The specific locations and travel times were not included. Due to this, the actual events or volunteering services are unknown as well. However, I feel as if they withheld this information because the information would only be relevant to those who are to be selected.

SURE-REU Program at UNC Chapel Hill

This internship is a summer research experience for undergraduate students, which will take place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In this program, students will participate in a ten-week laboratory research project in molecular biosciences, which include intriguing subjects such as biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. If accepted into this program, I would be working in the lab for ten weeks alongside outstanding mentors, which include UNC faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.

In addition to working extensively in the lab, I would also be attending informative workshops on applying to graduate school, a GRE prep course, presentations by invited speakers, workshops on research ethics, and other engaging, yet educational activities. At the end of the program, I will present the results of my research at the annual Summer Research Symposium and Poster Session.

This program starts on May 22nd at 5 p.m. and ends July 29th at 10 a.m. In this program, I would house in a dorm at UNC with students in similar research programs. This is not a paid program; I would, however, receive a stipend of $5000 that includes an allowance toward travel expenses. I will have to pay for housing and a meal plan, which is pre-paid through the program.

There is an online application for this program, which is due Monday, February 29th, 2016. This application requires information such as a personal statement, letters of recommendation, cumulative GPA, and an unofficial transcript. Preference will be given to undergraduates with little prior research experience. Additionally, students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

This program evidently attains many strengths. It undoubtedly allows one to gain huge research experience in collaboration with other well-rounded, driven undergraduates along with intelligent mentors. There are many activities offered, such as the informative workshops, discussions, and presentations. It also helps that the location is at UNC, a place that is now very familiar and comfortable for me—a second home. Furthermore, the subjects being researched are conducive to my biology major and chemistry minor, which are subjects that really intrigue me. A weakness of this program would be that I am far away from home during the summer, a time when I am usually with my family. It will also be more expensive than a program in my hometown, since I have to pay for housing, meals, and the like.

Enhanced Smiles Internship Profile (Brian Koo)

Finding an internship in the dental field is difficult. Most dental internship positions are only available to graduated dental school students. For undergraduate students, positions in the front desk of a dental office are the only opportunities available. Luckily, Enhanced Smiles offers a position for undergraduate college students to perform as a dental assistant and office assistant. The whole purpose of this internship is to better allow students truly understand dentistry and to gauge if the student is right for the dental world.

The primary goal in this internship will be to better my understanding in the dental world. Having already experienced a dental internship during my high school years, this will further improve my knowledge and hone my skills that are needed to become well experienced in dentistry. Some daily duties would be shadowing the dentist, Dr. Pham, taking X-rays to help hygienists and dental assistants, and help out at the front desk when patients arrive for their appointment.

Some general requirements for this internship will be that I have to be currently enrolled in a college and also have a high school diploma. In order to be able to take X-rays on patients, I need a radiation certificate from the Dental Program at Highland School of Technology (which I already have received). Unlike my high school internship, this summer internship will be paid. I will be paid by the hour with a negotiable payment range from $9 to $12 depending on what my primary job in the office will be. The internship schedule is very lenient and easy to work with. It will start on May 23, 2016 and will last until August 5, 2016. Work hours will be from 8am to 5pm on Mondays through Thursdays and 8am to 12pm on Fridays.

This internship has a lot of credibility behind it because this dental office was partnered with my dental program in high school and the dentist also graduated from UNC Chapel Hill’s dental school. This internship, as stated earlier, will help me hone my skills in dentistry and further peak my interest in dentistry.