Student Intern (Summer 2027 Program)

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is seeking motivated and enthusiastic students to participate in our Student Intern Program for the Summer 2027 session. This paid internship provides students with meaningful, hands-on experience while working alongside professionals dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Louisiana's residents.

Interns will gain valuable experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to projects that support LDH's mission of protecting and promoting health while serving the citizens of Louisiana.

Interns may be placed in a variety of program areas. To the greatest extent possible, interns will be placed within the program office or functional area that aligns with their academic background, professional interests, and essay topic. Final placement decisions are based on applicant qualifications, availability, and departmental staffing needs, including, but not limited to:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Health
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Administrative Services
• Communications
• Policy and Planning
• Social Services

Location: Interns must be available to work in person at an office located in East Baton Rouge Parish. Interns will not be eligible for remote work.

Hourly Compensation:

• Sophomore - $19.00
• Junior - $19.50
• Senior - $20.00

Important Dates Interns must be available during these dates to complete the required pre-employment task.

Program Events Dates/Deadlines

Application Period 11/2/2026 – 12/6/2026

Internship Begin Date 6/14/2027

Internship End Date 8/6/2027

Student Enrollment

• Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Louisiana college, university, or state-operated technical college and meet one of the following criteria:• Be classified as a full-time student according to their institution's enrollment criteria; or
• Be within their final two semesters of study and enrolled in the courses required to complete their degree or certificate program, even if not classified as full-time.

Please Note: Student enrollment status will be verified by Human Resources prior to the extension of a job offer. Academic Requirements

• Be an undergraduate student who has successfully completed their freshman year, or have completed at least one academic year at a two-year college.
• Be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (or equivalent).

Character Requirements

• Leadership potential and a commitment to public service, volunteerism, and civic engagement.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to personal growth;
• Possess the ability to exercise professional discretion.
• Eligibility to work in the United States with unrestricted work authorization.

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for initial qualification review. If selected for the internship, an official transcript will be required during the onboarding process to verify GPA and academic classification. The offer of employment is contingent upon meeting the stated GPA and classification requirements at the time of verification.

Failure to meet or maintain these participation requirements at any point during the selection process or internship may result in disqualification from consideration or removal from the internship program.

Qualified applicants must complete the online application and attach the following four (4) required documents at the time of submission. Incomplete applications or applications submitted without all required documentation will not be considered.

• Complete Unofficial Transcript Submit a current, complete unofficial transcript. Note: Final candidates will be required to provide an official transcript before an offer of internship is extended.

• Resume including education and employment history

• Letter of Professional Recommendation One letter of recommendation from a professor, academic advisor, supervisor, or other professional reference who can speak to your qualifications, work ethic, and potential for success in the internship program.

• Essay (Maximum 300 Words) Submit a 300-word essay focusing on a specific policy issue or agency within the Louisiana Department of Health. The essay should explain the significance of the selected topic and, based on your education and experience, describe how you could contribute to or further the goals of the selected office or policy area. The essay may address a current issue or propose a new policy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application. When applying, be sure to attach your documents under the "Attachments" step. Please do not submit your application until all documents are attached.

For additional information about internship sessions:

• Visit our website: LDH Student Internship & Management Fellows Program
• Email: [email protected]

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.