Prevent Blindness Illinois Internship Program
Prevent Blindness Illinois and the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) partner to provide sight-saving programs for children and adults of all ages. The Prevent Blindness Illinois Internship Program offers college students an opportunity to gain community health experience and experience working in the non-profit sector. Internship projects are focused on preventing blindness and preserving sight through vision and eye health community education, outreach, early detection, and linkage to care. Through community outreach students have an opportunity to:
• Examine the psychosocial, historical, and environmental causes of health disparities in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion and intervention programs that focus on vision and eye health.
• Use various theories to determine the best ways to promote vision and eye health, and develop materials and implement programs for diverse populations.
• Implement community-driven outreach strategies to effect change at multiple levels, including individual, community, and policy levels
• Collaborate with community partners to improve health in a community (e.g., participate in committees, share data and information, connect people to resources)
• Build and maximize partner relationships that affect health in a community (e.g., relationships among health departments, hospitals, community health centers, primary care providers, schools, community-based organizations, and other types of organizations)
Eligibility Criteria
Internships are ongoing throughout the year. We coordinate with academic institutions to post internship announcements through school networks. Internship placements and plans must meet the criteria of your Department and be approved by both Prevent Blindness Illinois and faculty prior to implementation. Prevent Blindness Illinois must have a contract in place with your academic institution in order to accept a student placement.
In order to qualify for the Prevent Blindness Illinois Internship Program, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or another professional degree program;
- Have completed at least one full academic year at the undergraduate level; and
- Be currently enrolled and available able to commit to a minimum of four months working with Prevent Blindness Illinois.
How to Apply?
Those interested in applying for an internship must complete the online application form and attach your cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts.
In order to match your skills and interests with the needs of our program areas, be sure to complete the online application in full.
The Selection Process
There are several steps in the selection process; students should understand the following:
Once applications are submitted, they are reviewed to ensure all eligibility requirements are met. Our Prevent Blindness Illinois team will contact you directly regarding the status of your application. If you are selected to move forward with the placement process, we will contact you to set up a phone screening. Based on results of the screening, and in-person interview may be scheduled.
Prevent Blindness Illinois coordinates official notification of acceptance. Please note that all offers are considered tentative until all paperwork is signed and approved by Prevent Blindness Illinois and your Department’s internship coordinator.
Questions
For any questions about Prevent Blindness Illinois’ Internship Program or the application process, please contact us at (312) 363-6023.
