Charting the Path: Impact of the National Environmental Public Health Internship Program on Educational and Career Choices

The National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) addresses critical workforce needs in environmental public health by bridging academic studies with practical experience. This study evaluated NEPHIP's impact on former interns from 2015 to 2021 using a questionnaire, revealing positive effects on career paths and professional skills. From a total of 138 interns, we achieved a 29% response rate; the results demonstrate that NEPHIP significantly influenced their career trajectories and skill development. Despite limitations such as outdated contact information and a limited response rate for the questionnaire, NEPHIP's contribution to professional development is evident in the results. Outcome data suggest that NEPHIP influenced the career trajectories of interns, with 98% ranking their experiences as positive and the majority pursuing careers in environmental public health. Intern reflections revealed the program's diverse benefits-from gaining unique professional insights to beneficial mentorships-that illuminate NEPHIP's role in shaping future environmental public health professionals.