Health Communications Internship - Winter/Spring '27

APCO; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop provided

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

APCO's Raleigh internship program invites seniors and recent graduates to join full-time, paid work experience in healthcare policy, communications, and public affairs. Interns participate in meetings, contribute ideas, and support client work while gaining exposure to industry leadership.

The role sits in APCO's Raleigh office with a hybrid working environment; interns receive a company laptop and work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from January 12, 2027 to May 21, 2027, at a fixed hourly

Qualifications

• > A demonstrated interest in healthcare, communications, or public relations.
• > Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team.
• > Excellent written and oral communication and research skills.
• > Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities.
• > Organized and attentive to detail.
• > Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently.
• > Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• > Available to work 40 hours per week.
• > Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status

Responsibilities

• Monitor policies and news on topics related to the healthcare industry
• Assist in drafting analytical pieces on healthcare issues, policies, current events and business trends
• Assist with drafting and editing client deliverables
• Identify relevant stakeholders and potential influencers
• Develop monthly new business reports
• Contribute to brainstorms and communications plans
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Healthcare interest

Public relations

Written communication

Oral communication

Research skills

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

US work authorization

Education

Recent graduate or enrolled student

Job description

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full‑time, paid internship program. Interns will gain insight into the healthcare sector and its policy, regulatory, and reputational challenges. They will support communications, stakeholder engagement, and content development that promote public health and industry leadership. They are treated as professional staff - participating in team meetings, contributing ideas, and supporting the overall management and growth of client work and the firm.

APCO’s Healthcare team partners with the world’s most innovative organizations to improve health outcomes and advance health equity through strategic advisory and advocacy. We cultivate strong relationships with key healthcare decision-makers and design integrated campaigns that position our clients for success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This internship will sit in APCO's Raleigh office.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor policies and news on topics related to the healthcare industry
• Assist in drafting analytical pieces on healthcare issues, policies, current events and business trends
• Assist with drafting and editing client deliverables
• Identify relevant stakeholders and potential influencers
• Develop monthly new business reports
• Contribute to brainstorms and communications plans
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A demonstrated interest in healthcare, communications, or public relations
• Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team
• Excellent written and oral communication and research skills
• Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Available to work 40 hours per week
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status

What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?

Our fellows work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily.

Compensation:

This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40.

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.

When does the internship commence?

Our program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.