Date of Award
8-16-2024
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Leadership and Policies
First Advisor
Christina Yao
Abstract
Internships are a vital component of Master of Public Health (MPH) programs. Despite 14% of MPH students identifying as Black, limited research has examined their internship experiences. This is particularly troubling given the racial demographics of the public health workforce and the racialized nature of most public health organizations. Using critical race theory (CRT) as a theoretical framework and critical counter-narrative as a methodology, this study sought to answer the following research questions: 1) How do Black MPH students describe their racialized experiences in their internships? and 2) What are the implications of Black MPH students’ narratives for policies and practices related to internships? Using homogenous purposive sampling, 14 Black MPH students who completed internships from 2020 to 2023 at an accredited school of public health in the southeast were recruited to participate in this study. Data was collected using two semi-structured interviews with each participant. Data was analyzed using a CRT lens through analytical noting and engagement in the literature which resulted in 14 unique participant narratives. The findings of this study suggest that Black MPH interns challenge the majoritarian narratives of a racially neutral public health workforce and Black racial inferiority. Implications from the findings include the notion that Black MPH student voices must centered throughout the internship process, that the public health workforce, particularly at leadership, must become more racially diverse, and that antiracist public health professionals are needed to support, mentor, and empower Black MPH interns. This study is one of the only studies in the public health field to explore the internship experiences of Black MPH interns and extends previous scholarship that has used counter-narrative to challenge racial myths by using an asset-based lens to examine the lived experiences of Black individuals. Ultimately, a challenge is put forth to act on the findings of this research to create a more racially just internship landscape and public health workforce.
Rights
© 2024, Zach Jenkins
Recommended Citation
Jenkins, Z.(2024). Black MPH Internship Experiences in Racialized Organizations: Critical Counter-Narratives for a More Racially Just Public Health Workforce. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/7768