NEVBD summer internship program

Summer Internship Program

The NEVBD Teaching & Evaluation Center supports a summer internship program for undergraduate students at community colleges and universities in our region. The goal of the program is to provide students with an opportunity to explore careers in the vector-borne disease field by working side-by-side with regional professionals who have expertise in vector biology, surveillance and control, and public health.

By the end of the training experience, students will gain an understanding of tick and mosquito vectors of public health significance in the northeastern region of the United States, as well as knowledge on how vector-borne disease surveillance, control, and/or monitoring is performed.

Please send questions about this internship program to our team at nevbd-internship@cornell.edu.

Share the NEVBD 2024 Summer Internship Program Flyer

Internship Duration

Summer internships occur over a 10-week period, starting in June 2024. Specific start dates may vary based on internship location and field site partner.

Work Hours

Generally, interns will be expected to work day shift hours Monday through Friday. Some variation may happen based on internship site location and project activities.

Interns are expected to contribute a minimum of 30 hours and maximum of 40 hours per week on internship activities.

Enrichment Activities

Complete a weekly ‘blog’ providing short summaries of internship activities and what you have learned; this blog will be available to you after the internship is completed as part of your professional portfolio.
Participate in a monthly video-linked seminar with other NEVBD interns and trainees.
Complete evaluation surveys at the beginning and end of the internship period.

Each student who completes the internship experience will receive a certificate of completion from NEVBD.

Minimum Qualifications

Age 18 or older.
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at a community college or accredited university OR graduated from an undergraduate program within the past year.
In good academic standing (GPA of 3.0+). If your GPA is not 3.0 or higher and there are extenuating circumstances, please apply and provide a brief explanation of your special circumstances that requires attention.
Licensed to drive in your current state of residence.
Able to meet the time commitment for the entire 10-week internship period.
Able to meet physical requirements of internship, which may include walking in uneven terrain, lifting up to 50 lbs, and working in variable outoor conditions.
Interest in biological sciences and/or public health.

Desired Qualifications

A background or prior experience in biological sciences and/or public health is desirable, but not required.

We are currently accepting applications for the NEVBD Summer Internship Program for summer 2024.

Application deadline: March 1, 2024

Apply Here

All interested students must submit an online application. Applicants are encouraged to have the following items prepared for the application:

Current resume
Transcript (unofficial/screenshot is okay)
Personal statement (2,000 characters or less): the personal statement should include an overview of your interest in this internship program, any prior experience you may have related to public health or science, why participation in this internship program benefits your academic or career goals, and how it would help reduce barriers in achieving those goals.
Short answer questions (all limited to 1,000 characters): List any skills or experiences you are particularly hoping to gain during this internship; List any relevant skills you currently have that might be useful for your internship (lab skills, software/programming experience, communication, etc.); Describe an obstacle or challenge you have faced and how you overcame it
Listing of your preferred internship field site(s) based on this year’s available internship opportunities
Contact information for three people who can comment on your academic or professional performance

Selected applicants will receive a stipend that includes financial support for living expenses and travel. Stipends will be provided through Cornell University Department of Entomology.

A stipend of $7,000 will be provided for the 10-week internship period.
Stipend amounts will be increased for internship placements in areas with high costs of living, such as New York City.
Interns will have access to up to $500 to offset travel costs associated with the completion of this internship experience.

Students are responsible for their own transportation and housing as well as costs associated with relocation to internship sites. Resources will be provided to help interns search for housing options in the area of their internship field site, if required.

The current listings of internship field site locations for summer 2024 include:

Scarborough, Maine - MaineHealth Lyme & Vector-Borne Disease Lab
College Park, Maryland - University of Maryland Department of Entomology
Northborough, Massachusetts - Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project
Yarmouthport, Massachusetts - Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project
Flemington, New Jersey (2 positions) - Hunterdon County Mosquito and Vector Control Program
Trenton, New Jersey - New Jersey Office of Mosquito Control Coordination
Yaphank, New York - Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Arthropod-Borne Disease Lab
Yaphank, New York - Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Vector Control Division
Montpelier, Vermont - Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets, Environmental Surveillance Division
Fairfax, Virginia - Fairfax County Department of Health, Disease Carrying Insect Program