ELC Opportunities and Resources

  1. Office & Department Directory
  2. Public Health
  3. Experiential Learning Component
  4. ELC Opportunities and Resources

This list is meant to be a resource for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in a public health setting. This is not a comprehensive list of ELC opportunities. There are many ways to earn ELC credit including volunteering within your community.  Also see Handshake. 

Opportunities in the North Country

The descriptions and mission of the organizations listed on this page are excerpted from their public pages.  Interested students are encouraged to research and explore the organization carefully and consult with the Public Health Chair to determine if opportunities will meet the Experiential Learning Component of the minor.

Renewal House

Planned Parenthood

GardenShare

  • GardenShare's mission is to solve the problem of hunger in St. Lawrence County through policy advocacy work and by strengthening the food system to benefit all County residents. For information on volunteer/internship opportunities, see: https://gardenshare.org/volunteer/

Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley

Seaway Valley Prevention Council

  • To inform the public about the disease of alcoholism and substance abuse through information and education, to promote early treatment and rehabilitation of persons with drinking problems and/or substance abuse problems, their families and their children, to increase public awareness of alcoholism, to advocate and/or develop essential services for the treatment and prevention of substance abuse, to provide consultation services to interested persons and community leaders. https://svpc.net/

Northern New York Area Health Education Center (NAHEC)

  • Northern Area Health Education Center, Inc., established in 2001 through collaborative efforts, improves access to quality healthcare by making improvements in the supply, training, development, and distribution of health professionals across various county areas.  Our Pipeline to Practice approach connects students to careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better health.  As part of the larger New York State AHEC System, NAHEC is one of nine centers in the State of New York offering statewide capacity for addressing healthcare workforce needs in health careers exploration, continuing education programs and services, clinical training opportunities, and community partnership development.  NAHEC serves Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton counties.  https://northernahec.org/

AHEC Scholars Program

  • The AHEC Scholars Program is designed for students like you who are eager to gain hands-on experience and delve deeper into the issues that impact communities. Discover the vital social determinants of health that affect vulnerable populations and underserved communities. By understanding their unique needs, you’ll be able to see the bigger picture beyond individual health and develop meaningful interactions with diverse populations.  https://northernahec.org/ahecscholars/

The Health Initiative

  • The Health Initiative was created out of a collaboration by Canton-Potsdam Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. Leaders from these institutions brought together over 200 individuals - representing a broad spectrum of the community including health, human service, business, government and education - to conduct a thorough assessment of health in St. Lawrence County. The steering committee identified three health priority areas that needed to be addressed county-wide: Access to Care; Nutrition and Physical Activity; and Substance Use, focusing on youth tobacco use.  https://gethealthyslc.org/index.php

Health Coaches Program

  • This program, in collaboration with Canton-Potsdam Hospital, is an opportunity for SLU students to get hands-on experience being part of the healthcare team and supporting chronically ill individuals as they set goals and make changes to improve their health.  https://www.stlawu.edu/biology/health-coaches-program.

St. Lawrence County Public Health Department 

  • The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, is an opportunity for SLU students to get hands-on experience while helping the department "ensure the health, safety and quality of life for all St. Lawrence County residents." https://www.stlawco.gov/Departments/PublicHealth

Community Health Center of the North Country

St. Lawrence Health System (Canton-Potsdam Hospital) 

External Opportunities 

Please note that many of these opportunities require applications to be submitted several months in advance.

American Public Health Association Internships & Fellowships

  • Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for unpaid APHA internships that offer practical work experience. Candidates should be working toward a bachelor, graduate, or postgraduate degree, and all majors are welcome.  https://www.apha.org/professional-development/apha-internships-and-fellowships

New York State Department of Health’s Office of Public Health

CDC Fellowships and Internships

U.S Department of Health and Human Services

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) 

International Medical Aid

  • International Medical Aid (IMA) is a non-profit organization that provides healthcare volunteer programs for undergraduate students, graduate students, residents, and practitioners in the areas that need it the most: East Africa, South America and the Caribbean. In providing urgently needed healthcare assistance to the people in these regions, we help participants gain valuable exposure to disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, mental health, public health and physical therapy through an ethics-based approach to care. Our programs also allow volunteers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of our exotic destinations through unique adventure programs led by experienced and trusted tour guides. Founded on the principles of integrity, respect, commitment, and imagination, IMA provides a safe and mutually beneficial experience where students can make a meaningful contribution to disadvantaged populations throughout the world.

NIH Clinical Summer Internships

  • Approximately 40 students are selected each year to participate in the Clinical Center's internship experience. At the Clinical Center— the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research—students work with mentors who are researchers and health professionals; participate in the NIH Research Poster Day with results generated by their work in this summer program; and attend weekly lectures presented by NIH investigators.  Additional NIH Training program info here.

Pasteur Institute Summer Fellowship

  • The Pasteur Foundation Summer Internship Program provides U.S. undergraduates, entering their Senior year, with the rare opportunity to work on supervised research projects at the Institut Pasteur. The Foundation’s goal is to encourage and inspire students in the pursuit of a scientific career and to expose them to an international laboratory experience.  Each year, selected laboratories at the Institut Pasteur host U.S. undergraduate students.  Dates of the internship range from early June  to mid-August for a total of ten weeks.

Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN)

  • The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) provides need-based financial aid scholarships for outstanding students interested in attending the PLEN Women in STEM Policy Seminar.  PLEN scholarships will assist students in funding a portion and/or all of program and registration fees associated with attending the seminar. Student(s) awarded any level of scholarship will be responsible for funding their own transportation, meals and any remaining dues for program and registration fees not covered by the scholarship award.  Preference will be given to currently enrolled undergraduate women, but other current students are eligible to apply (particularly, the Women in STEM Policy Seminar—a number of SLU students have participated in the past.  More on their experiences here.) 

Mailman School of Public Health (Columbia University) Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP)

  • This program is designed for undergraduate students to increase interest in and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers. The program is designed for undergraduates going into their junior or senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students who may or may not have predetermined career goals. This is a rigorous program which includes introductory Public Health course work at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders; and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students' exposure to the breadth and importance of public health as a career option.  https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/academics/non-degree-special-programs/pathway-programs/summer-public-health-scholars-program