Student Externships
With USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
One Health Coordination Center
For February-August 2016
Goal
An externship with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services’ One Health Coordination Center
(OHCC) gives MPH students, MPH/DVM students, and 3rd and 4th year veterinary students
an introduction to the animal component of One Health issues.
Description
Students enrolled in an MPH program, an MPH/DVM program, or their 3rd or 4th year of
veterinary school may apply for a minimum of a 3-week externship with the OHCC. We
encourage longer externships so participants can get more involved in a project and learn
more about addressing the animal aspects of One Health.
Participants learn through hands-on experience working on a current One Health project
and are mentored by OHCC staff.
Externs will support the OHCC on issues related to these four One Health focal areas:




Zoonotic Disease Engagement, Investigation, and Response,
Pre-harvest Food Safety,
Antimicrobial Resistance, and
Global Health Security.
Extern projects (some with a short turnaround time) may require the student to research,
organize, analyze, and present data in a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel format
suitable for presentation or distribution. Examples of extern projects include:



Developing a disease scenario for a training course,
Conducting a literature review and writing policy options for a specific One Health
issue, and
Conceptualizing, writing, and designing communication materials.
Schedule
This announcement is for 2016 externships only. A minimum of 3 consecutive weeks is
required. The application period opens April 13 and closes May 29, 2015. Refer to the
“2016 OHCC Externship Timeline” below for details.
Spring/Summer Externships: At least 3 weeks between February 1 and August 26, 2016.
USDA APHIS VS One Health Coordination Center Externships Spring/Summer 2015
Costs
Applicants selected for the program will be responsible for:


Round-trip transportation to their assigned location and any commuting costs, and
All living expenses during the externship
There is no reimbursement of expenses or a salary provided for externships. Please
be aware that the student will have to arrange for housing and transportation during
the externship. The local offices may be able to assist with this. Costs for travel and
housing are the responsibility of the student.
Assignment Locations and Dates
Externs will work in an office environment as part of the OHCC team. The student may be
stationed in Riverdale, MD; Atlanta, GA; Fort Collins, CO; or Minneapolis, MN with OHCC
staff as mentors. In your cover letter, please specify your preferred location/s and dates
you are available for each location from February 1, 2016 through August 26, 2016.
Eligibility
You must:
 Be enrolled in an MPH program, dual MPH/DVM program, or the 3rd or 4th year of a
DVM program when completing the externship, and
 Be available for a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks.
Education
You must be enrolled in a school accredited by one of the following:


American Veterinary Medical Association
Council on Education in Public Health
Citizenship
You must be a U.S. citizen.
2016 OHCC Externship Timeline
April 13, 2015
Application period opens
May 29, 2015
Application deadline (11:59 p.m., ET)
August 1, 2015
Selected applicants notified
February 1 – August 26, 2016
OHCC Externship Period
2 of 3
USDA APHIS VS One Health Coordination Center Externships Spring/Summer 2015
Application Process
The OHCC staff strives to provide an outstanding externship experience for their students.
To accomplish this, OHCC has set the following requirements and expectations for students
interested in an externship with the OHCC. All application materials and letters of
recommendation are to be emailed directly to Dr. Linda Detwiler at [email protected]
If you have questions about the externship or application process, please contact:
Linda A. Detwiler, DVM
Clinical Professor
Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine
Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Phone: 732-580-9391
Email: [email protected]
Application Requirements for Student Externs




Cover letter including preferred location/s and dates of availability for each
location.
Resume.
Write a short essay (1 page or less) on why you are interested in this externship.
Address the following questions in the essay:
o What do you hope to gain from this externship?
o What are your unique qualifications and related experiences for a One Health
externship?
o What are your career goals, and how would your participation in a One
Health externship enhance them?
Two recommendations (see below for more details).
Letters of Recommendation





Two letters of recommendation are required.
Select individuals who know you professionally and with whom you have recently
worked.
At least 1 letter must be from a faculty member of your school.
Provide references a copy of the Instructions for Letters of Reference.
Letters must be emailed directly to Dr. Linda Detwiler at [email protected] by
the May 29, 2015 deadline.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents must be submitted by the May 29, 2015 deadline for your
application to be considered.
3 of 3