HDI Student Program

Here at HDI, one of our strategic goals is to deliver applied educational experiences that advance health equity and enhance critical consciousness amongst learners at all levels. We are passionate about providing undergraduate and graduate students alike with opportunities to contribute to HDI’s work across the state and be valued members of our team.

What you will learn:

Former HDI Student Intern, Shay-Voya Anderson, tabling at the CT State Capitol Building for Health Equity Week 2024.

As a HDI Intern, you can expect to learn about and gain practice in any of the following areas:

  • Health equity and social justice praxis.
  • Quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
  • Approaches and methods for translation of research to action.
  • Policy advocacy strategies.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration in the implementation of research or program agendas.
  • Effective, high-impact dissemination and written communication strategies to reach a variety of audiences.

HDI Interns are expected to:

  • Work 10 hours/week from the start of September to the end of June.
  • Be available for meetings during standard work hours (9am - 5pm) throughout the week.
  • Work occasional weekends and/or evenings as needed for special events and meetings with community partners.
  • Attend 2-3 virtual and in-person workshops, community events, etc. hosted by HDI and/or as part of the HDI team throughout the year.

Application review and interviews occur every Summer, and hired interns are required to participate in an HDI internship orientation in August before of the start of their internship.

Have any questions about HDI’s Student Program? Feel free to contact HDI’s Student Program Manager, Melanie Rocco, at mrocco@uchc.edu.

Hear from past HDI Health Equity Interns!

 

Headshot of Kripa Patel. Kripa Patel, UConn '25 MPH - Graduate Research Intern

"My internship at HDI was both impactful and educational. The organization supported my professional development and expanded my public health knowledge. Through this experience, I gained skills in qualitative data collection, health equity research, and community-based research, while contributing to projects that aligned with my public health interests. The HDI staff were incredibly supportive and made the internship a valuable experience."

Headshot of Matt Chen.

Matt Chen, UConn '24 MA in Communication - Communications Intern

"My time at HDI was an invaluable learning experience. HDI provided me with the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I was able to work with incredible and passionate faculty and staff to contribute meaningful work that advance health equity and help promote the institute's mission to others."

 

 

Headshot of Cindy Pan.

Cindy Pan, UConn '24 MPH - Graduate Research Intern

"During my internship at HDI, I gained invaluable experience in addressing public health challenges through both research and community engagement. Under the guidance of HDI’s dedicated faculty and staff, I contributed to a variety of projects tailored to my interests, which enhanced my skills and deepened my understanding of health equity. HDI’s extensive network and its legacy of excellence also provided me unique opportunities to connect and collaborate with non-profits, researchers, policymakers, and more in CT and beyond."