I actively participated in several organizational activities throughout the first half of my internship, concentrating on coalition building, public health campaigns, and community involvement. I mostly communicated with coalition members, project personnel, and community partners regularly when I was associated with the group. High levels of cooperation and coordination were needed to make sure that everyone was informed and that tasks were finished quickly. I assisted with project logistics, supported the administrative team, and took part in virtual meetings.

Duties as an Intern

My duties included providing administrative support to the coalitions by following up on tasks, developing project-related materials, and assisting with the coordination of meetings. I was responsible for managing the logistics of CINCH and Healthy Portsmouth meetings, including sending invitations, taking minutes, and updating participant rosters. I helped to create and execute a social media communications plan for Healthy Portsmouth, which involved designing and posting content on two platforms, and using Canva Pro to develop educational materials, flyers, and presentations.

I also engaged in outreach by following up with participants in projects like CINCH Little Steps 4 Health and Healthy Portsmouth’s Million Hearts and Year of Mammography. Additionally, I worked on strategies to enhance community engagement and assisted in planning outreach events to promote health education. Another key responsibility was collaborating with project staff and community partners to identify and recruit new partners, expanding the coalition’s network of support. Throughout, I maintained clear communication with coalition members and provided regular updates on ongoing projects and initiatives.

Knowledge and Skills Gained

I gained significant knowledge in public health, particularly in understanding health equity and its importance in coalition-building and community engagement. I learned how to address health disparities and develop outreach strategies aimed at underserved populations. My organizational and administrative skills improved as I managed multiple tasks, coordinated meetings, handled event planning, and developed communication materials for public health initiatives.

I enhanced my communication skills through regular interactions with coalition members, project staff, and external partners. I also gained experience in managing email listservs, which helped me keep participants informed and engaged. Additionally, I developed skills in social media management and marketing, learning how to create and post educational content for Healthy Portsmouth using tools like Canva Pro.

Furthermore, I acquired hands-on experience in community engagement and outreach, assisting in the development of strategies to promote health education and organizing events. Overall, these experiences strengthened my ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and contribute to public health initiatives.