http://www.cdc.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

ORISE Fellow

June - August 2020 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

Opportunities to lead group projects and interact with many departments within the agency. There was a lot of freedom to work creatively and collaboratively with other students and full time employees. Everyone is happy to help with any and all issues. In general, a great team of people to work with.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have had the opportunity to do laboratory experiments on campus. Due to COVID, the entire internship experience was virtual and I never got to see the facility to meet the people I worked with face to face.

Advice

Make connections with as many people as possible during this internship. There are many opportunities for funding further education and starting a career in government research. Everyone is excited to meet and chat about their experiences, so take advantage of their experiences and mentorship!
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Cyber security

October 2018 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

Learning about the positions offered throughout the cdc and learning the ins and outs of cyber security.

What I wish was different

More interaction with the people I worked with to better understand the position and my job descriptions.

Advice

To be ready to learn how to work and contribute in a work environment it can be intimidating but a wonderful experience and make you a stronger worker in the process.
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Research Intern

May - August 2019 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

I enjoyed being responsible for my own research and having the freedom to do research on topics I am passionate about.

What I wish was different

I would not change anything about my time in Atlanta. There were definitely some rough patches trying to learn the ins and outs of a new city that is so far from home, but I learned so many valuable lessons.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share about this experience is to apply to every internship and job position that interests you. Even if you don't feel like you have the specific qualifications for the position. When you show that you have a willingness to learn you will be surprised at how far can go.
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CDC laboratory intern

June - August 2019 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

I was chosen for a highly selective program supported by CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. The principal focus of this rigorous program is to reduce health disparities by placing students in leadership positions in public health. I got public health educational training at Morehouse College, then conducted hands-on research in CDC’s NCHHSTP with research microbiologist and mentor, Dr. Richard Haaland. He runs clinical trials and studies in collaboration with Emory University. Joining this lab team allowed me to expand upon wet lab techniques. I also gained dry lab experience by formulating and analyzing data, and I met with collaborators and visited clinics.

What I wish was different

I had an extremely positive experience.

Advice

Always try to get the most out of your experience by asking questions and meeting new people. Talk to them to find out about a journey you may have never even considered. Also, give back so that it's a mutually beneficial relationship. Keep in touch with people you meet.
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Intern

June - July 2019 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

I loved being able to interact with different employees at CDC and learn about all the different career options within the field of public health.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have been there for longer!!

Advice

Keep searching until you find an opportunity that is perfect for you! And don't take no for an answer :)
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Junior fellow

May - August 2019 • Hyattsville, MD

What I liked

Diverse employees, opportunities to contribute to publications, friendliness and helpfulness of supervisor and other employees

What I wish was different

Bureaucracy and slow pace of project approvals and publication

Advice

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Public Health Associate

October 2017 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

You get to meet about one hundred other people in your fellowship cohort, all of whom are interesting and passionate about public health. The experience is valuable and opens up a lot of doors at CDC and at other health agencies. People leave the program and go on to PhD programs, CDC jobs, and to local or state health departments.

What I wish was different

There is a lot of paperwork and not a lot of room for error in the fellowship.

Advice

Adapt as quickly as possible to federal government policies and work culture.
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Research Intern

May - June 2018 • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

What I liked

The opportunity to engage with diverse issues in public health firsthand. I worked alongside American doctors, Ethiopian epidemiologists and policy makers, and fellow Williams students to tackle several questions about the disease landscape in Ethiopia.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Lab Assistant

February 2018 • Fort Collins, CO

What I liked

The experience was very important to strengthen my graduate school application. I also have always wanted to work for the CDC, so this opportunity was very important for me to learn about how to pursue a career there and make connections that may help me in the future.

What I wish was different

I wish I had gotten paid.

Advice

A great opportunity for microbiology students interested in research to see options other than working in academia. Take full advantage of networking opportunities that arise.
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Immunization Deprtment

November 2018 • Decatur, GA

What I liked

I enjoyed the professionals working here they were very information and helpful. Also, The work I am doing here helped me gain valuable skills that I can take with me to my future career.

What I wish was different

Nothing it was a great experience.

Advice

Make sure you Network with others and put yourself out there , you will have many opportunities ahead of you.
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Epidemiology Workforce Intern

June - August 2018 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

Profound opportunity to discover the world of Public Health in action. The CDC brings together epidemiology, policy making, basic and applied research, among so many other fields. The Epidemiology Intelligence Service summer training program was a great way to network with outbreak investigators who have MDs or PhDs from fields of ranging from immunology to statistics.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more of an active role in outbreak investigation or research. I served on the Epidemiology Workforce Branch but with their educational and career support division. While I got to witness the administrative side of how responses are processed, there is just not much room to see much action or be involved in lasting projects. There are many systems already in place, and interns are not expected to contribute as much as in other organizations or companies.

Advice

Recognize the ubiquity of office and administrative life. Even if you intend to have a more active, adventurous career, it's valuable to develop an awareness about structure and bureaucracy in more established institutions like the CDC. Also, the world of Public Health is so diverse; you can have an impact in the field with whatever skills you have.
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Research Fellow

May 2018 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

The research!

What I wish was different

Advice

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Intern

May - August 2018 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

The people, the research, and the public health aspect.

What I wish was different

I wish they would have offered me a job afterward

Advice

It was amazing and if you are in the Public Health field, definitely try to get an internship at the CDC
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Student worker/internship program

June - July 2017 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to work with the state of the art equipment in the lab.

What I wish was different

I wish the approval process didn't take so long. I wasted precious research time waiting.

Advice

Don't be scared to ask questions.
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Data Analyst

June 2018 • Atlanta, GA

What I liked

Data analysis, quantitative role, worked closely with experienced statisticians, epidemiologists, practiced R and datasets

What I wish was different

I had more training in R, more time to familiarize with data

Advice

Networking can be useful
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