Gain Experience. Build Connections. Create Change.
At the Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC), our internship program gives college students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges in public health, environmental justice, and community outreach. Interns gain hands-on experience by contributing to meaningful projects such as creating asthma education toolkits, supporting program evaluation, and conducting data analyses that inform air quality and health initiatives across the San Joaquin Valley. Each project is designed to not only build valuable technical and professional skills but also to make a direct impact on the communities most affected by asthma and poor air quality.
Interns at CCAC work alongside a supportive team of staff and mentors who guide them through their projects and encourage professional growth. Past interns have learned how to translate complex health information into community-friendly resources, apply data science tools like Python and ArcGIS to health equity projects, and conduct research on the impacts of wildfire smoke and air pollution. Whether your background is in public health, data science, environmental studies, or community engagement, an internship with CCAC will help you build your skills, grow your network, and make a difference in advancing clean air and health equity in California.
Modal Title
Why Central California Needs You
You’ll gain hands-on experience in community health, environmental justice, research, outreach, and professional communications — as well as the opportunity to strengthen leadership and teamwork skills.
Asthma care
Nearly half of the U.S. population lives with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
Health Equity
People living in poverty are more likely to live in close proximity to sources of pollution and have fewer resources to relocate.
Decarbonization
A changing climate is making the job of cleaning up the air more difficult.
Environmental Justice
Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran and Los Angeles-Long Beach, California, posted their lowest levels of particle pollution ever, though they are still among the worst five.
Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring
46% of the population—are living in counties with failing grades for ozone or particle pollution.
Policy Advocacy
The Lung Association urges defending EPA programs and staffing, warning that cuts threaten essential air monitoring and pollution control needed to safeguard public health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers to help you learn more about interning with CCAC.
Internships are open to college students and recent graduates interested in public health, environmental justice, community health, or related fields.
