ITEJ aims to create a supply and demand economy of positive experiences, not just in the home, but also in the workforce. We’re focused on increasing measurable job skills that can dramatically increase social and economic mobility.

Mindful and Equitable Opportunities

The value of an internship is unmistakable. It teaches marketable skills, it builds professional networks, and it helps students test-drive careers.

But the benefits are not available to all: Close to half of all internships are unpaid, putting them out of reach for students who need wages to keep up with their bills, even if the work has nothing to do with their intended careers.

- Naomi Harris & Jocelyn Gecker: Associated Press 2022

Internship experiences can uplift students and recent graduates both financially and professionally. In fact, economic data shows students exposed to internship experiences are more likely to improve their economic mobility and future overall earning power.

Who Should Apply?

  • 18 years of age who are currently enrolled or have recently graduated from a HBCU are encouraged to apply

  • Current students with a GPA above 3.0

  • Cares about trauma and its’ impact on public health

Why Be An ITEJ Intern for Change?

The intrinsic value of an internship is found in the connections you make and the one or two contacts who have a genuine interest in your professional journey.

Guided mentorship to help unlock hidden potential

  • Professional Development

  • Individualized Career Strategy

  • Learning how to market your skills and experiences

Real-world application of science and theory

  • Test-driving business acumen

  • Honing project management skills

  • Implementing best-practice consulting methodologies

Remote opportunities allow an increased accessibility to expand your network beyond the confines of an office building. Rather than limiting interactions and mentorship exposure in the office, interning with ITEJ exposes young careerists to mentors all over the world.

Meet Our Newest Advocates and Interns For Change

  • Tennessee State University Class '23 Bachelor of Science- Health Sciences Therapeutic Studies Concentration, Exercise Science Minor

    2023 Summer and Fall Cohorts

    AstarI epitomizes an Intern For Change taking initiative to get ITEJ represented at the 7th Annual Silence the Violence event held at Historic Hadley Park in Nashville, TN. Eager to keep AstarI longer, he accepted our offer to extend his internship and began supporting efforts to plan for ITEJ BringTogether events in Lansing, MI (Nov. 30th 2023) and Louisville, KY (Spring 2024). Thanks in part to AstarI, ITEJ's next signature BringTogether event may be in Nashville!

  • Morgan State University Doctor of Public Health Student Class '24

    2023 Fall Cohort

    Tamara conducted a comparative review between Oregon, Michigan, and Kentucky Medicaid Waiver Programs and found significant differences between the states. Her findings will be part of the discussion at ITEJ's BringTogether Louisville event in 2024. Additionally, Tamara has prospected grants for ITEJ and helped research scholarship and internship opportunities for her fellow students at Morgan State University.

  • Morehouse College Class '23 Biology Major; Public Health Minor

    2023 Fall Cohort

    Javier connected with student run Pre-Dental, Pre-Med, and Public Health focused organizations in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) to coordinate and host ITEJ’s 1st Virtual Fireside Chat open to the public. Previously ITEJ Fireside Chats with talent acquisition leaders and difference makers in emerging industries were private only offered to ITEJ Interns and Advocates.

  • Howard University Class '26 Health Sciences Major

    2023 Summer Cohort

    In addition to leading ITEJ's first social media health promotion campaign "What is ACES?", Priscille created content for the first series of posts and setup ITEJ's Linktree. Priscille also supported her fellow intern by creating QR codes to help promote his community outreach event in Nashville, TN at the historic Hadley Park.

  • San Francisco State University Class '26 Psychology Major

    2023 Summer Cohort

    Craig, a Los Angeles native, spent a few weeks in our summer internship cohort and made the best of his time. Interning remotely, Craig researched online over 100 scholarships to verify which ones were eligible for ITEJ's proprietary database of scholarships for students attending HBCUs. During one of ITEJ's private virtual Fireside Chats with one of our partner organizations, Craig was offered an internship upon his return to school in the Bay Area.

  • Hampton University Class '25 Electrical Engineering Major

    Inaugural 2022 Summer Cohort

    Breon conducted market analysis and using AirTable software collected data on hundreds of organizations across the U.S. to contribute to ITEJ's proprietary database on Black churches.

  • Tulane University Class '25 Double Major: Business Mgmt and Legal Studies in Business Minor: Economics

    Inaugural 2022 Summer Cohort

    Aryanna led a market analysis project and shared her knowledge of Canva and Hootsuite to help develop strategies for creating and managing social media content.

  • Florida A&M University Doctor of Public Health Student Class '24

    ITEJ Advocate

    ITEJ is excited to support Ericka's passion for research and offer her a platform to inspire other students to further her research exploring differences between chronic disease prevalence, ACE scores, and cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

  • Florida A&M University Class '25 FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Bachelor of Science: Electrical Engineering

    ITEJ Advocate

    ITEJ recently welcomed Lex as an ITEJ Advocate and we look forward to him becoming an Intern For Change in the Summer of 2024.

  • Morgan State University Class '24 Bachelor of Science Health Administration

    ITEJ Advocate

    ITEJ recently welcomed Mamawa as an ITEJ Advocate and we are looking forward to her contributions to our 7LiteracyJewels social media campaigns.

  • Tennessee State University Class '23 Health Care Administration and Planning Major, Business Minor

    ITEJ Advocate

    ITEJ recently welcomed John as an ITEJ Advocate and we are excited about the community outreach he will be doing in the greater Chicago area and at his alma mater Tennessee State University informing students about internship and scholarship opportunities.

  • Florida State University Neuroscience Doctoral Student Class '24 Morehouse College Class '16

    ITEJ Advocate

    The world needs to know about the pioneering social behavior and mental health study James Brown is conducting at Florida State's Clinical Neuroscience Lab. Based on his work there are many implications for ACEs research and we look forward to James work motivating others to follow his lead.

  • Mississippi State University Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion Class '22; BA in Sociology with Biological Sciences Minor Class '21

    ITEJ Advocate

    As the first ITEJ Advocate, Tatu has not only supported ITEJ, but been a fantastic supporter of all of our Interns For Change. We are eager to see where Tatu’s journey in healthcare leads and we have big plans for community outreach in Jackson, Mississippi!

Partner With Us

To become an ITEJ partner or participating organization, or to join ITEJ as an advocate for change in your community, email info@itej.org for more information.