Pre-Health Internships: Medical, Research, Public Health & Veterinary

Are you interested in pursuing a career in medicine, public health, scientific research, or veterinary care? Gaining relevant experience through internships is a key step in exploring your interests, strengthening graduate school applications, and making meaningful contributions to the field. This page provides a curated list of job boards, directories, and internship programs for students considering pre-health career paths. Opportunities range from hospital volunteering and medical research to public health policy and veterinary programs.

Use this guide to:

  • Find internships and research programs in clinical care, public health, biomedical research, and veterinary science
  • Explore volunteer, paid, and academic opportunities across hospital systems, government agencies, and research labs
  • Learn about national fellowships, pre-health enrichment programs, and international service options
  • Connect with organizations working locally, nationally, and globally in health-related fields

👉 Be sure to check Handshake for pre-health internships, research positions, and volunteer opportunities posted specifically for Augustana students!

Global Opportunities

Avencion Group – Internships available through the U.S.-Africa Global Leadership Program for students interested in global health initiatives in Africa and Asia.

GPSA for Health Medical Fellows Program – Gap-year program in Guatemala or Belize supporting local health centers while mentoring high school students in service learning.

Squads Abroad –Teacher-led global service experiences improving health and education in under-resourced communities.

Health Sciences Internships

Summer Undergraduate Research Programs- Listing of summer programs for undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in medical research. Please contact programs directly regarding summer research opportunities.

American Diabetes Association – Internship – An internship with the American Diabetes Association means you will engage in the daily activities of staff and gain real-world experience while making a difference in the lives of people who are affected by diabetes. 

American Medical Student Association—AMSA International Health Opportunities Directory – Offers global health opportunities and access to clinical observerships.

Bristol-Myers Squibb / Cardinal Health / CVS Health / GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – Offer internship and co-op programs for undergraduates in healthcare, business, and pharmacy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Museum Disease Detective Camp– A five-day public health immersion experience at CDC Headquarters.

Columbia University – College of Physicians and Surgeons Summer Public Health Scholars Program– Focus on careers in public health and biomedical sciences.

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Public Health Student Intern Program– Semester-long public health internships in HHS departments.

HHS Opportunities — Youth Engaged Change
Empowering you to improve your life and the world around you.

Johnson & Johnson– Hands-on experience working with a leading global healthcare company.

Mayo Clinic Internships– Programs in nursing, IT, innovation, engineering, lab science, and more.

Pfizer / PATH / NACCHO / U.S. Public Health Service – Internships in healthcare innovation, policy, and community health.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Intramural Training & Education– This is an opportunity to work at NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research.

National Institute of Health – Summer Internship– Summer programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devote exclusively to biomedical research. This internship is offered to students who are at least 16 years of age or older at the time they begin the program.

Pharmacy for Me Internship Opportunities– When it comes to the pharmacy industry, there are endless career specialties! If you are exploring the possibility of pursuing a career in the industry, we encourage you to learn more about these career specialties to find the best fit for you

Scientific Research Internships

Selected Research Internships:

Public Health Internships

Veterinary Internships

Bonus Tip: Volunteer at your local animal shelter or SPCA while applying to competitive zoo programs.