Internships in Health & Sport Sciences
Otterbein’s location in Westerville, Ohio, just 15 minutes from the state’s capital, Columbus, gives you convenient access to hundreds of employers and a diverse range of internship opportunities. Otterbein Health and Sport Science students have had internships at some incredibly exciting places. We take advantage of our great location and excellent medical resources in the Columbus area and have internships available at OhioHealth and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Our students have also enjoyed exciting internships with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Crew.
HSS Students Talk About Their Internship Experiences:
While in my last year at Otterbein, I was able to participate in a research study with Dr Post. In this internship opportunity, I served as a student research assistant under Dr. Post’s advisement, researching ways to help patients with Down syndrome address health disparities. In this role, other students and I were tasked with conducting surveys, assisting in exercise research, and learning about health lifestyle alternatives for individuals with disabilities. One of my favorite parts about this opportunity was being able to connect with the patients and their families. I found that I shared similar interests and hobbies with the patients in the program, which not only made the patients feel welcomed but also created a friendly environment where everyone feels connected, which made this experience very enjoyable. For any student looking for a research internship with Dr. Post, this is a great opportunity to help others and learn more about health disparities.
I really appreciated my internship because it gave me the opportunity to explore different career paths that I had never considered for myself!
As a GME intern at Mount Carmel Grove City, I conducted and analyzed data through needs assessments to improve faculty and resident wellness programs. This experience allowed me to apply my public health skills in a hospital setting and see the real impact of data-driven change. It was especially inspiring to learn from my supervisor, Otterbein Alumna Mariah Nevels, and witness an Otterbein public health education graduate making a difference in the healthcare field.
Before this internship, I saw public health education as primarily about distributing information. Now, I see it as an act of translation and advocacy. The challenge of taking topics like ‘asthma disparities’ and turning them into relatable content on ‘cleaning your home safely’ taught me that the real goal is to make knowledge accessible and actionable. This shift in perspective—from just giving information to truly enabling understanding—is what I will carry with me forever.
My internship has impacted me in bountiful ways. I have learned, grown, and developed immensely not only as a student but professionally and personally. I was placed in situations that pushed me out of my comfort zone which allowed me to become more confident in myself and my knowledge.
Beyond the specific skills in health communication, this internship taught me the immense responsibility that comes with delivering health information. The importance of precision, clarity, and cultural awareness is now ingrained in me, and it’s a perspective I will carry into medical school and my future career serving patients.
I was fortunate to take part in both on- and off-campus internships, where I was able to translate classroom learning into practical, hands-on experience. I also had the flexibility to double major in Sport Management and Public Relations. This allowed me to combine my passion for sports with my passion for communication and creativity, guiding me to a dynamic and meaningful career in sports communications. Otterbein’s supportive professors, real-world opportunities, and the freedom to shape my academic path made my experience in the program truly memorable and fulfilling.
My internship was a great experience. I continued learning and was able to apply what I learned in the classroom in a real-world setting.
My internship experience was great. The process was easy and I was able to gain real world experience that could not have been taught in a classroom!
Overall, the internship and professional experience I was able to be a part of was unmatched. It allowed me to watch practicing Physicians and Physician Assistants and gain a better understanding of the professional world. Not only did I become more knowledgeable, but I also improved my communication and research skills through the internship experience. Without Otterbein, these connections and experiences would not have been possible for me. I would not be in the position I am today if I had not chosen Otterbein. Otterbein University allowed me to grow as an athlete, as a student, as a person, and as a professional.
My clinical experiences were the most valuable part of my undergrad experience. Getting to have hands on experience early on to supplement what I was learning in the classroom helped me to develop my skills and have real world application to what we got from lecture. I especially enjoyed my high school rotation my senior year because I felt like I grew so much in my skills, confidence and as an overall athletic training student that made me sure I was well prepped for graduation.
The real-world experiences and personal support I received through Otterbein’s HSS program gave me the confidence and skills to thrive in the sports industry.
Through my Otterbein internship experience, I was able to strength train many different middle and high school athletes in sports like football, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, and basketball which helped shape me into the leader and coach I am today!
Otterbein Sport Management classes give you hands-on experiences to practice and refine those skills, they require you to think critically, convey your opinion and speak to others in a strong and passionate way by backing up your claims with the facts. Never let the fear of failure, stop you from chasing your dreams. It only took one internship to say yes that turned into my dream job.
I learned and experienced many new things during my internship which have encouraged me to continue exploring physical therapy as my future career. All of my experiences there will help shape me in my future as both a physical therapy student and a future physical therapist. This opportunity has helped me to continue growing as both a student and a professional.
I believe I was fully prepared for my internship experiences because of my advisor, Dr. Shelley Payne. Dr. Payne not only gave me the medical knowledge in her courses to be able to understand all of the intricacies that were being discussed by the physician assistants, but she also prepared me professionally by giving great insight on how to further my professional relationships. Without this experience I would not have gained the invaluable insight into my future career or be set up for success as I take my next step into physician assistant school.