Students earning a degree in healthcare administration will gain a deeper understanding of the operations of health service establishments. Students can go on to work in hospitals, private practices, consulting firms, clinics and other healthcare organizations. Many healthcare administration degree programs urge students to take part in internship programs. If you're interested in healthcare administration, an internship can provide real-word experience in your area of interest and be a great way to build your resume. Internships can also help you explore networking opportunities with others in the field.

Resource: 15 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration 2015

Community Health Centers

Community health centers promote health and wellness within groups of people. An internship at a community health center can help you develop culturally appropriate programs to educate the population and increase people's awareness of methods that can improve their health and prevent disease. This is an ideal opportunity for students who enjoy helping others, working with a variety of professionals and enhancing their communities.

Consulting

When medical facilities need advice on optimizing profits, efficiency and patient care, they often turn to healthcare consulting firms. An internship as a consultant in the healthcare administration industry will give you insight into the best ways to research, plan and implement healthcare management processes in a variety of medical settings. You'll work on problem-solving and learn how to plan and execute projects for different institutions.

Public Policy

An internship in public health administration can give you a sense of the way healthcare policies are researched and implemented. You can take advantage of internship opportunities at nonprofit health establishments such as the World Health Organization or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may work with politicians and lobbyists, or you can focus your efforts on conducting research. You'll learn from mentors who can help you gain the confidence and knowledge necessary to become a public health leader.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies do more than just compound and sell medications. They also promote health and wellbeing within communities. A healthcare administration internship at a pharmacy can help you explore the skills necessary to analyze healthcare standards and integrate scientific data into strategic planning. You will gain experience in creating relationships with other healthcare workers who can enhance the pharmacy's growth, reach and expertise. You will also learn how to network with partners to provide the best possible service to the pharmacy's customers.

Medical practices

As an intern, you can work in a large hospital, a small private practice or anything in between. When you work in a healthcare practice, you'll learn how to coordinate patient care and back-end processes to optimize the success of the business. This may involve analyzing financial information, managing information technology and supervising staff.

If you have recently graduated from a college or university, an internship can help you advance your career. It will give you the practice and understanding you need to develop your qualifications so that you can use your knowledge and skills in a healthcare administration position. A recent Forbes Magazine article describes how students entering the workforce can break into the healthcare business. The tips include familiarizing yourself with the current economics of the industry and working for newer, more innovative enterprises. No matter what you do, gaining experience with an internship can enhance your potential for success.

Additional Resources:

50 Best Schools for a Healthcare Administration Degree 2016

Top 10 Best Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs 2016