Stanford Health Care's Summer Internships—8 Reasons to Apply
Pre-college internships are one of the best ways to strengthen your college application, especially if you’re able to secure one at a top institution in the country. These programs show admissions committees that you are serious about your field of interest, and they demonstrate your academic capabilities because you’ve been selected from a competitive applicant pool. By participating in a summer internship at a respected institution like Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internships, the subject of our blog today, you not only demonstrate your dedication but also build skills that can set you apart from other applicants.
What is the Stanford Health Care Summer Internship?
Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internship program offers 8-, 10- and 12-week paid internships to provide a glimpse into the world of healthcare administration and operations. Since these internships are roles in administrative departments in medical facilities, there’s plenty of hands-on experience. This program fosters an understanding of how hospital operations actually work behind the scenes.
Through the internship, you will learn about how various supporting departments at hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities operate—from human resources and housekeeping to supply chain and emergency services. The exposure and experience you gain will provide you with the tools to decide whether a career in health administration or related fields is the right path for you.
Not only are these internships a good choice if you’re interested in healthcare, but they are also a solid option if you’re looking to build leadership and organizational skills. The program fosters growth through project-based learning and mentorship from experienced professionals. By the end of the internship, you’ll have valuable insights and knowledge about healthcare management and the various components that help a major hospital like Stanford’s run smoothly.
How is the internship structured?
Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internships are offered based on available special projects across various departments. While Stanford offers internships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, the availability of work permits differs. Here’s where you can expect to be working as a high schooler:
Housekeeping
Sterile Processing
Operating Room Assistants
Supply Chain
Emergency Services
Anesthesia Technical Services, Nurse Anesthesia and Pre-Anesthesia Clinic
You will be placed in one of these hospital departments and given tasks that reflect daily administrative responsibilities. During the internship, you’ll work alongside senior hospital administrators and complete the project assigned to you, helping to enhance the functioning of the hospital. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend various training sessions and workshops, receive mentorship from healthcare leaders, and even participate in networking events. This program is very similar to working a full-time job, emphasizing practical experience and allowing you to apply classroom learning to a professional setting.
Is it prestigious?
Stanford Health Care is a 160-year-old organization with a prestigious history, and their Summer Internship is naturally quite competitive, drawing applicants from across the country. Because of the limited spots on offer, the selection can be quite rigorous, and being accepted into the program gives you recognition from one of the nation’s most established healthcare organizations. The exposure to healthcare administration and the on-the-job experience you get here can help you secure future positions in healthcare organizations. The networking opportunities provided by the program are also valuable. You’ll be able to build connections with industry experts and potentially meet professionals who could help guide your future career.
Who is eligible, and how do you apply?
To be eligible to apply for the internship, you need to be enrolled in high school and at least 16 years of age. While there’s no stated GPA or prior experience requirement, since the program only runs in small batch sizes, you can expect entry to be competitive.
In general, the program looks for the following skills in candidates—problem solving, communication, and self-management. If you’re able to conclusively demonstrate these, you should have a fair chance.
The application process for Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internship requires:
An online application and your latest resume. No cover letters or recommendation letters are needed.
A screening process after the initial review of your application and resume.
If you meet their criteria, you will be recommended to a specific department and preceptor, who may then interview you. You cannot select the department or preceptor you wish to intern with.
The internships run in the summer, fall and winter, and we strongly advise keeping an eye on the website to stay up to date with deadlines.
There is no application or registration fee as this is a paid internship opportunity, but housing and other costs may be your responsibility.
8 reasons to apply for Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internship
There’s a lot of hands-on experience
The internship allows you to apply your knowledge by working on projects that impact the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s leading healthcare facilities. From handling administrative tasks to participating in strategy meetings, the internship gives you exposure to the operational challenges healthcare organizations face. You’ll leave the program with a stronger understanding of how hospitals function and what it takes to manage one effectively.
There are plenty of networking opportunities
One of the key benefits of this internship is the chance to build connections with professionals in the healthcare field. You’ll work alongside healthcare administrators and department leaders in small work groups, allowing you to interact with them on a one-to-one basis. These connections can be incredibly valuable whether you’re looking for career advice, mentorship, or future job opportunities. Networking with established professionals at Stanford Health Care can open doors to internships, research opportunities, or even full-time roles in the future.
Mentorship from industry leaders
Throughout the internship, you’ll be mentored by experienced healthcare administrators and leaders at Stanford Health Care. This mentorship is a crucial aspect of the program, as it provides you with personalized guidance and insights into healthcare administration. Your mentors can help you navigate your project, offer advice on your career goals, and provide feedback on your performance. This level of mentorship can help shape your career trajectory and ensure that you make the most of your internship experience.
Solid exposure to how healthcare systems work
The program gives you a comprehensive look at how a large healthcare system operates. You’ll learn the operations of a dedicated department, such as patient care, human resources, and finance, allowing you to see how it plays a critical role in the hospital's overall functioning and interacts with other departments. This exposure is especially valuable if you’re considering a career in healthcare administration, hospital management, or any healthcare-related field, as it provides insights that you can’t get in the classroom alone.
It’s a great opportunity to develop leadership and management skills
A key focus of the internship is to help you develop essential leadership and management skills. You’ll take on project-based assignments that require you to manage your time effectively, work as part of a team, and lead initiatives that improve hospital operations. These skills are transferable to any career path and will serve you well in both academic and professional settings. By the end of the internship, you’ll have enhanced your ability to lead, collaborate, and think critically about complex problems.
Exclusive learning opportunities
As an intern, you’ll have access to exclusive learning opportunities that go beyond the standard internship experience. This includes attending specialized training sessions, workshops, and seminars led by experts in the healthcare field. These sessions are designed to deepen your understanding of healthcare administration and provide you with the tools and knowledge to excel in your future career.
It’s a paid opportunity
The internship offers you a stipend, compensating you for the work you put in. These funds can go towards your other academic pursuits or applying for other extracurricular programs.
It’s a good way to explore careers in healthcare
Finally, this internship offers an excellent opportunity to explore whether healthcare administration is the right career path for you. The immersive experience gives you a realistic view of what it’s like to work in this field, helping you determine if it aligns with your interests and skills. Whether you’re set on a healthcare career or still exploring options, this internship provides clarity and direction for your future academic and professional choices.
If you’re looking to gain practical experience in healthcare administration and build a strong profile for college, Stanford Health Care’s Summer Internship is an excellent opportunity. The skills and connections you gain could shape your academic and professional future.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.