Career Goal
I hope to create and analyze policies to help reduce rates of substance use among LGBTQ young adults.
Internship Outline
I primarily worked with a local nonprofit to analyze their transition to telehealth, and some of the barriers and successes that resulted from this transition. I accomplished this by conducting and analyzing qualitative interviews with clients of this nonprofit, which I then put into an executive summary for leadership.
Value of Experience
This internship helped me get out of my comfort zone by having me talk to complete strangers, which is something that I have always struggled with. To be able to participate in research where the community being helped was directly involved was truly something special. In the end, I felt like I made a larger impact than I could have had I worked somewhere else over the summer. I loved every moment of this experience. !
Best Moment/Experience
I was honored to be able to show my research results to the nonprofit leadership and help them improve their health care services, and I truly am grateful for this internship in allowing me to make a substantial difference. Conducting interviews with strangers was the largest challenge I faced at this internship, but it provided me with excellent practice for developing interpersonal skills while also allowing me to meet with numerous individuals who have a diverse and enriching array of life experiences. I was most surprised with how friendly the nonprofit’s leadership, clients, and other research staff were at this position.
How did your first year at YSPH prepare you for this internship?
My first year at YSPH taught me many of the fundamental skills of this internship, including biostatistics and statistical analysis, qualitative interviewing, community-based participatory research, and a foundational understanding of LGBTQ healthcare disparities.
What would you say to a student who’s considering a similar internship?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, as those moments are the most enriching and ultimately the most valuable parts of this internship.
Funding Source
Funded by YSPH and the Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative.