FAQs and Application Tips Page

1. I am a graduating senior. Can I still apply?
2. How can I submit my application?
3. When will I find out if I was accepted for this internship?
4. On which CDC campus will the internship be based?
5. When will I know if my application has been received?
6. What types of majors can apply to this internship? If I am not an environmental science major, can I still apply?
7. I am on the quarter system and will not be out of school for the beginning of the internship. Is there still a way that I can make the internship work?
8. Do I need lab experience to be eligible for this internship?
9. What is the difference between the SUPEH and CLEH internships?
10. What types of information are you looking for in the essay questions?
11. What type of information are you looking for in the résumé/CV?
12. What do you look for in an applicant?
13. What are some Do’s and Don’ts
14. Does the internship provide housing and travel arrangements?
15. What type of project will I be participating in?
16. Can I receive school credit for this internship?
17. Will I be able to have any personal days off during the internship period?
18. Is it okay to contact you with questions regarding the application process or my application?
19. I have been accepted for the internship, but I don’t know what my project is. What if I don’t like it when I get there?
20. What type of attire is required while participating in this internship?

1. I am a graduating senior. Can I still apply?
   No. While we appreciate all of the interest that is generated for this internship, we are only accepting rising juniors and seniors, or graduate students who are currently enrolled in a college or university for the upcoming fall semester,and will continue their studies after the summer internship program ends. Spring 2017 graduates are not eligible to apply.
2. How can I submit my application?
   Applications should be submitted via email to EHinternships@cdc.gov. **IMPORTANT**: Include your email address in the subject line of all application materials submitted, including your letters of recommendation; this is your ‘unique identifier.’ Please remind your recommenders to also include your email address in the subject line when submitting their recommendation on your behalf. CLEH and GEH will apply online through ORISE only. Applications submitted to the CLEH or GEH mailbox will not be accepted or reviewed.
3. When will I find out if I was accepted for this internship?
   We will notify those who have been accepted for the internship after Friday, March 3, 2017.
4. On which CDC campus will the internship be based?
   The internship will be based on CDC’s Chamblee Campus approximately 1 mile from Chamblee MARTA station and located at
   4770 Buford Highway NE
   Atlanta, Georgia 30341
5. When will I know if my application has been received?
   We will notify SUPEH applicants that their application has been received in a timely manner. However, leading up to the application deadline we are extremely busy and it may take several days to confirm receipt. If you have not received confirmation that your SUPEH application has been received one week after the deadline, please emai SUPEH at EHinternships@cdc.gov. CLEH and GEH applications are submitted online through ORISE and an automatic response is sent upon submitting your application.  Top of Page
6. What types of majors can apply to this internship? If I am not an environmental science major, can I still apply?
   Please see eligibility requirements for specific.
   For CLEH and GEH, we welcome environmental studies and environmental science majors as well as majors in physical, biological, chemical, and/or social sciences, and other majors. We have had pre-law, anthropology and journalism majors in the past. The important thing is that the applicant must demonstrate a strong interest in the environment, whether that is through academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, or other activities.
   For SUPEH, we require that you are an Environmental Health major at a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).
7. I am on the quarter system and will not be out of school for the beginning of the internship. Is there still a way that I can make the internship work?
   Yes. While it may be difficult, it is possible for students on the quarter system to participate in this internship. Previous interns have had to finish their school finals while in the CLEH, SUPEH or GEH program. Our staff is able to proctor final exams, even on the weekend prior to orientation if necessary. You cannot miss the required orientation for this internship which takes place during the first three days of the program.
8. Do I need lab experience to be eligible for this internship?
   No, this internship does not require lab experience and is not a lab based internship. While there are many laboratories within CDC, this NCEH/ATSDR summer internship does not place interns in laboratories. If you are interested in a laboratory-based summer opportunity at the National Center for Environmental Health , please go to the Biochemical Markers Fellowship (BMF).
9. What is the difference between the SUPEH and CLEH internships?
   The Summer Undergraduate Program in Environmental Health (SUPEH) interns and the Collegiate Leaders for Environmental Health (CLEH) interns attend many summer activities together. However, as the SUPEH program is only offered to students in National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) accredited majors, the SUPEH internship offers different project work and experiences for students and is located in the Environmental Health Services Branch. GEH is only for current graduate students.
10. What type of information are you looking for in the essay questions?
    We would like to see that you have a personal connection to the environment through work, academic, travel, personal, and/or volunteer experiences. Having an understanding of environmental issues on a personal level is important. For the strong candidate question, this is your chance to shine and tell us about yourself. Tell us why you are interesting and why we should accept you into the program. Feel free to discuss extracurricular activities, applicable coursework, past travels and study abroad, awards and honors, special training or skills, significant work experiences, languages, certifications, past internships, and anything else you have experienced and/or hope to achieve that is relevant.
11. What type of information are you looking for in the résumé/CV?
    We would like to see relevant work experience, skills (i.e. languages, computer programming experience, SAS/SPSS, GIS), other internships, awards, and your roles in extracurricular activities at your school or workplace. If you hold leadership roles at work or in clubs at your school, like environmental clubs, this will be viewed as relevant experience. Also, if you have completed presentations, projects, or papers in classes that are relevant to this internship, you may want to list those under relevant coursework or in a publication section of your résumé. In addition, we would like to see a personal section with two or three things listed about you.
12. What do you look for in an applicant?
    Every year we strive to select students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but who have a clear passion and dedication to environmental health. Through your  application, please let us know why you are qualified, but also how you are unique and what you can bring to our program through your personal, professional, volunteer, work, or academic experiences.  Top of Page

13. What are some Do’s and Don’ts?

    Do…

    • Give yourself ample time to work on your personal statements, make them engaging and be sure to show us your motivation for a career in environmental health.
    • Have a professor, mentor, friend, supervisor, parent, and/or roommate look over your application – especially the essay questions.
    • Make sure someone outside your field of study can understand your essays and Résumé/CV.
    • If available, go to your school’s career center, English department, or writing center for help with your essays and Résumé/CV.
    • Write compelling personal statement essays that are unique to you and add to what we learned from your Résumé/CV.
    • Give your recommendation writers ample time to submit their letter. At least 4 weeks notice before the deadline is generally acceptable.
    • Before asking someone to write a letter of recommendation, first ask them if feel comfortable writing a strong letter of recommendation on your behalf.
    • Be honest in all parts of your application.

    Don’t

    • Have any typos in your application.
    • Turn in your application late.
    • Ask your recommenders to write you a letter on short notice.
    • Ask for a letter from someone who does not know you well, they will likely have a hard time writing a personalized letter of recommendation on your behalf.
    • Take up space in your essays restating information we read in your Résumé/CV.
    • Lie about your GPA.
    • Email us with questions that are already answered on the website, unless you need further clarification.  Top of Page
14. Does the internship provide housing and/or travel arrangements?
    No, interns must arrange travel to and from Atlanta and housing on their own. However, information about summer housing in Atlanta can be found in the Housing and Transportation section of this website. Although travel from residences to the Chamblee Campus location is the intern’s responsibility, information is provided about public transportation and carpool options. In the past, many interns have chosen to live close together and have carpooled to and from campus together. The internship stipend is intended to offset housing and travel expenses.
15. What type of project will I be participating in?
    Interns are placed in projects that are appropriate for their skill set. Visit the Internship Experience Page for a list of some projects that previous interns have participated in.
16. Can I receive school credit for this internship?
    Yes, you can receive credit for this internship depending on the guidelines your institution has set forth for receiving academic credit. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
17. Will I be able to have any personal days off during the internship period?
    Yes. We realize that interns may have important events to attend over the summer and may also need to take off at some point for personal reasons. We will allow only a two day absence during the duration of the internship. If missed days exceed two, the intern must make up the hours they missed before the internship ends or possibly be withdrawn from the program.
18. Is it okay to contact you with questions regarding the application process or my application?
    Yes, we encourage you to contact us via email with questions after you have reviewed the FAQs. For specific questions about CLEH or GEH and application submission process or supporting documents, please refer to ORISE. For all other questions, please contact Marilyn Duffoo or Bea Longmire at CLEH@cdc.gov or GEH@cdc.gov. *do not submit your CLEH or GEH applications to these mailboxes, they will not be reviewed or accepted. For questions specific to the SUPEH program, please contact Justin Gerding or Kelli Foster at EHInternship@cdc.gov Please wait until a week after the application deadline to see if your application has been received. Due to the popularity and overwhelming response that is received for these internships, we are not able to accept questions via phone.
19. I have been accepted for the internship, but I don’t know what my project is. What if I don’t like it when I get there?
    We have done our best to assure that there are a few other available options for interns. If your project does not work out for you once you are here, we may be able to work out a new arrangement.
20. What type of attire is required while participating in this internship?
    Because CDC is a professional environment, we require that our interns dress in business and/or business casual attire. Men should wear trousers and either polo shirts or button down shirts. Women should wear dresses, skirts or trousers, and business casual tops. Interns should not wear shorts, flip-flops, tank tops or blue jeans. During some Friday activities, more casual attire may be allowed.

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