Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP)

Project Abstract/Summary The central goal of OHIP is to recruit students into the occupational health professions within the context of a changing workforce and nature of work, and to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students through a summer enrichment experience. Our goal is to provide these students with an

experienced-based learning opportunity that motivates and inspires them to continue and/or shift their academic training to graduate programs in the occupational health professions. The URM students bring not only their technical expertise, but often language and cultural skills that are essential in developing

communication and rapport with diverse worker populations. Three major training objectives underlie the program. Over the course of a summer, each of the OHIP trainees gains an understanding of the: · importance of work-related health and safety hazards in determining the health of workers and the general community;

· changing nature of the workforce and importance of designing health and safety interventions to meet the needs of specific and diverse worker groups; and · role of occupational health and safety professionals in reducing workplace health and safety hazards. OHIP project personnel and mentors from around the country, each with considerable health and safety

experience, work to ensure that the internships will be successful. This includes extensive national recruitment for applicants, careful selection of student projects, organization of a three-day national orientation training, and effective mentorship and supervision throughout the summer. Post-summer

communication with the trainees solidifies their interest in occupational health. A national advisory board composed of nationally recognized educators and scientists continues to play a key role in overseeing the program. Over the past 20-years, 392 students have completed 205 occupational safety and health (OSH)

projects with 136 worker support organizations in 30 locations involving a wide variety of occupations and health and safety hazards. Over the previous NIOSH funded project period (2018 – 2023), 108 students have completed 54 projects in 18 locations. Over the past 20-years, 55 percent of the 392 OHIP trainees

have been URMs and over 50 percent of these have pursued careers in OHS and/or allied professions. Over the last 5-year project period, 65 of 108 OHIP trainees (60%) are URM.