Below is a sample list of domestic service opportunities, which can be found throughout different areas of the United States. This is not a comprehensive list, but one that will get you started in thinking about where you could go with your volunteering experiences.
Disclaimer: The Pre-Health Student Resource Center and the University of Minnesota has no control or responsibility for the: (a) quality or safety of any experiential learning opportunity/position descriptions or (b) the application, hiring practices, or EEO/AA status of any of the organizations listed here. We encourage students to use precaution when applying to, interviewing at, or participating in volunteer, internship, or research programs outside of the University. If you have any questions about researching organizations, please contact your college career services office.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association offers several ways to get involved: volunteer for a few hours a week or more to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease; help out with the Alzheimer's Association Walk, share your experience caring for a loved one with the disease, we may have opportunities for you to speak through local Alzheimer's Association Speaker Bureaus; become an Alzheimer's advocate and help shape laws at the federal, state or local level by talking with legislators and educating them about Alzheimer-related issues.
Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org/index.asp
American Cancer Society
The internship program at the American Cancer Society provides an opportunity for people to make a difference as they gain valuable hands-on experience in the non-profit sector and a greater understanding of the Society's mission.
American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/involved/index
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872. A variety of internships for undergrad and grad students are available.
American Public Health Association: http://www.apha.org/professional-development/apha-internships-and-fellowships
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross offers training for entry-level healthcare careers through its Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) program.
American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training website
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It's a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. AmeriCorps members address critical needs in communities all across America. As an AmeriCorps member, you can: Tutor and mentor disadvantaged youth; Fight illiteracy; Improve health services; Build affordable housing; Teach computer skills; Clean parks and streams; Manage or operate after-school programs; Help communities respond to disasters; Build organizational capacity.
Americorps: http://www.americorps.gov/
Center for Disease Control
Internships in infectious disease lab research and public health management are available to undergraduates.
Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/fellowships/full-time/index.html
Centers for Disease Control: Collegiate Leaders in Environmental Health
This is a paid 10-week summer environmental internship for undergraduate students who are passionate about the environment, interested in human health, and curious about how they are linked.
Centers for Disease Control: Collegiate Leaders in Environmental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/summerinternships/cleh.htm
Community HealthCorps
An Americorps program, student can search either by state or by entering Community HealthCorps into the advanced search.
Community HealthCorps: http://www.communityhealthcorps.org
Cooperation for National & Community Service
CNS is the umbrella organization for the US Government sponsored AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Vista, the Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve American.
Cooperation for National & Community Service: http://www.nationalservice.gov/
Federally Qualified Health Care Centers
Learn more about Federally Qualified Health Care Centers through this online presentation.
Planned Parenthood
Job descriptions of Planned Parenthood Clinic Assistants vary depending on location, but generally the position involves clerical duties, basic patient care, or both.
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/jobs-and-volunteering
World Health Organization
Internships are available in a wide variety of areas related to the technical work of WHO. Our Information Sheet for Interns regarding WHO departments (below) provides links to WHO-related websites about WHO's technical work. Please review this information and specify which area of WHO would be most suitable for you. The more specific you can be in your request, the better chances there will be to match you to one of our technical programs.
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/careers/en/