The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages and supports internships where feasible. Students who are looking for internships at DHEC can use the information on this page as a guide to get started.
Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. - National Association of Colleges and Employers
Getting Started
About DHEC
DHEC is charged with promoting and protecting the health of the public and the environment in South Carolina. With more than 3,400 employees working in approximately 100 locations across the state, DHEC places health at the heart of all that we do.
We encourage prospective interns to learn more about us — our commitment to serving South Carolinians for 50 years, who we are and what we do.
Search for Internships
DHEC advertises its internships on the South Carolina Careers website. You can search the site to find and apply for available internships. If you apply for an internship, you will be contacted by the program who is seeking interns.
If you are unable to find an internship or one that fits your needs, complete a request to express your interest in future internships. Please note that by submitting a request, you are consenting to allow DHEC's Human Resources to share your information with DHEC programs searching for interns.
We review requests received and we will contact you if an internship becomes available. We also encourage you to keep searching the South Carolina Careers website for new internships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-credit, paid internships are evaluated by the intern's supervisor. The supervisor considers these interns paid, hourly employees and will prepare formal position descriptions with specific job duties. In some cases, paid internship supervisors also consult with colleagues for whom the intern has provided project assistance to determine if expectations have been met.
Whether it is for-credit (unpaid) or paid, internships should be taken seriously. Interns are expected to act professionally at all times and use the experience to prepare for a career. Making a good impression through outstanding internship performance can also lead to a future full-time job: employers often use internships to evaluate potential future employees.
DHEC does not offer housing for internships. However, internships are often available or can be arranged in multiple locations throughout South Carolina, depending on agency and/or school requirements.
Virtual and hybrid options (combination of in-person and remote work) are at the discretion of each hiring manager. Some recent paid summer internships have been hybrid. Virtual options for unpaid, for-credit internships also depend upon specific requirements from a student's academic program.
Internships for Class and/or Graduation Credit
To receive class and/or graduation credit for an agency internship, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) is required between DHEC and the student's academic institution. If DHEC does not have an MOA with a school, please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
DHEC does not guarantee an internship based on an academic institution's active MOA with DHEC. Non-paid, for-credit internships depend on many factors, such as location, student interests, and DHEC staffing/project availability.
Departments
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Camp Burnt Gin - Summer 2024 Employment
Camp Burnt Gin has 4 departments hiring for Summer 2024. To learn more and submit a Staff Interest Form, visit Work at CBG. For volunteer information, visit Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities.
Bureau of Water
Recreational Waters Interns - Paid
Testimonials
Current DHEC Employees
NeKyra Thomas, Office of Human Resources Intern
Office of Human Resources - Classification and Compensation
“I've felt my level of professionalism grow so much in just six weeks, and I have gotten so used to the office setting,” NeKyra said. “Upon graduation, DHEC will be the first place I look for a career! This internship was an invaluable experience, and I will take every lesson learned with me."
Brian Norman, Jr., Environmental Health Manager II
Solid Waste Regulation Development, Planning, and Reporting
Division of Mining and Solid Waste Management
"As an intern with DHEC, I learned many valuable skills in both the office and out in the field that primed me for my current role here at DHEC. Every connection I made was more than thrilled to talk about what it is that they do. They truly cared about my benefit from the internship.”
Former DHEC Interns
Tyler Zimmerman
Interned with the Office of Public Health Preparedness Pee Dee Region
“My public health preparedness internship was the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the industry I will soon be entering. It not only gave me practical experience in program development, emergency preparedness, and response, but it also allowed me to network and learn from industry experts in each facet of public and environmental health. Because of this internship, I feel prepared and confident in my skills for my future in the public health field.”
Beata DeWitt
Interned with Environmental Affairs
“DHEC has done a phenomenal job in providing the best work experience for interns [ . . . ] My internship has allowed me to learn as I work. I have met many outstanding people from various departments of DHEC with a common goal of helping the community.