KPH Internship Program

Experience That Transforms

For students enrolled in the Bachelor's degree programs in Kinesiology and Public Health, the internship experience is an invaluable option. It provides students with hands-on, practical experience at approved agencies that offer sport and exercise science, clinical settings in healthcare and PT, as well as health promotion and education programming. Senior Project internship serves as a capstone experience, allowing students to actively engage in many facets of their discipline of interest under the direct supervision of an approved on-site coordinator. An internship is one of three options KPH students have for completing their Senior Project.

Key Objectives of the Internship Program

• Bridge the gap between academic studies and professional development.
• Align the internship experience with your career goals in the field of Public Health and Kinesiology.
• Gain real-world insights and skills in your chosen discipline.

Prerequisites

• Senior standing
• Completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs)
• One of the following: HLTH 4434 or KINE 3319
  • Knowledge of research and/or program planning methods are important for students to be successful in an internship. During their internship experience, students will likely engage with various research and/or program planning methods, terms, and/or skills at their site.
• Consent of instructor

Senior Project Internship Guidelines

• Internship opportunities are distributed to students with senior standing via email from the KPH administrative assistant multiple times per academic year and in the KPH student newsletter
• Internships are available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters and must be secured at least one semester prior to the experience
• A minimum of 90 hours of practical, career-related experience is required over one semester

Senior Project Application Process
 

Step 1: Identify Your Internship

• Research and identify the internship you want to apply for
• Students may arrange their own internship, select from a KPH established partner agency, or request approval for current employment
• Internships are not restricted to San Luis Obispo County
• Internships must be secured at least one semester prior to the experience

 

Step 2: Meet with Your Internship Coordinator

• Schedule a meeting with your coordinator:
  • Dr. Nicole Hagobian (KINE)
  • Professor Christine Nelson (HLTH) — no later than:

Internship Semester	Meet by
Fall	Week 10 of Summer Semester
Spring	Week 10 of Fall Semester
Summer	Week 10 of Spring Semester

• Your coordinator will verify prerequisites and confirm eligibility

 

Step 3: Submit Required Documents to Internship Coordinator

• Current resume and cover letter specific to the internship
• CPR/AED certification verification (if applicable)
• Completed the required KPH Senior Project Internship paperwork.  This paperwork will be sent to you via Adobe once you have secured your internship and it has been approved by your internship coordinator

 

Step 4: Finalize and Register

• Ensure your cover letter, resume and any other required documents have been uploaded to your OneDrive folder by Week 14 of the semester prior to your internship.  The OneDrive folder will be created by your internship coordinator.
• Once approved, your coordinator will provide a permission number to register for KINE 4463 or HLTH 4463 (2 units, CR/NC grading)

Your Responsibilities Throughout the Internship

Weekly Hours and Progress Logs

• You will submit your weekly hours and progress logs to the KINE/HLTH 4463 Canvas course. Logs must include the days/hours you worked and the responsibilities that you completed each day.
• Logs must be signed by your internship site supervisor at the mid and endpoints of your internship

Weekly Discussion Forum

• You'll have the opportunity to engage with your fellow students and gain insightful information and advice from their internship experiences. These discussions are designed to foster a collaborative learning environment and encourage reflection and sharing of your own internship journey. This forum serves as an avenue to celebrate your accomplishments and significant learning experiences with your peers, as well as for you to communicate any challenges you may need assistance/advice for with your internship coordinator.

Midway and Final Evaluation

• Your on-site supervisor will complete two evaluations of your work to assess your progress toward achieving your internship goals, as well as your contribution to the agency.

Final Portfolio

• You will submit a final portfolio that encompasses all the projects that you completed, as well as a compilation of your professional references and work (i.e., updated resume, letter of recommendations, etc.). This will ensure you will be ready to apply for future employment opportunities. 

The Student Experience:

Kinesiology:

 

Public Health:

“I chose the internship option for my senior project because I wasn't yet sure what I wanted to do in the broader field of Public Health, other than my interest in working with children and underserved communities. We learn about so many career options in our major, and I knew that First 5 would provide a lot of opportunities to talk to people in different public health-related fields because of their strong connections throughout the community. My experience was an invaluable one; I learned more about how professional workplaces function, how to improve my communication skills, and how to utilize community resources and local non-profits to best benefit those that we serve, specifically children and families in my experience. After talking to a number of different people in various public health fields, I've decided to take the next steps to pursue a career in nursing (hopefully pediatrics!), which is something I likely would not have figured out I was interested in without my internship experience at First 5.”

- Public Health Student, First 5 of SLO County

 

“As someone who lives by the Learn By Doing motto, I wanted to get hands-on experience in the field of Public Health before making any definite choices about my future career path. I got the opportunity to spend 6 wonderful months working with the SLO Food Bank as an intern for their Senior Nutrition Program, where I got to learn more about Nutrition and Food Procurement, Case Management, Community Outreach, and how to effectively work with the Geriatric Population. I went into college believing that I wanted to follow the medical route, but this experience has taught me that there are so many other ways you can improve the overall health of the community without working in the hospital. I am so thankful for everything this internship has taught and shown me, and I look forward to a future where people are treated with much more empathy and care.”

- Public Health Student, SLO County Food bank

 

Contact Information:

Dr. Nicole Hagobian
Bldg 43A, Room 366
(805) 756-2545
nhagobia@calpoly.edu

Prof. Christine Nelson
Bldg 43A, Room 355
(805) 756-5367
cinelson@calpoly.edu