The paradox has become a cliché for aspiring health policy professionals: securing a seat at the table requires experience, but gaining that experience often depends on already having a seat at the table. While internships can be an option for bridging the experience gap, not all internships are created equal. Many consist of little more than administrative work or narrowly defined tasks and offer limited exposure to meaningful policy discussions. Applied Policy takes a different approach, with a program that gives interns a deeper understanding of health policy while building the knowledge base and confidence they need to contribute meaningfully to the field.
According to COO John Voorhees, providing a seat at the table is a hallmark of Applied Policy’s internship program. “We don’t give the next generation of health policy professionals busy work. We encourage them to actively contribute,” he said. “Through research, analysis, and project support, our interns engage directly with real-world policy issues, gaining valuable exposure to the conversations shaping healthcare delivery.”
This hands-on approach reflects the philosophy on which the internship program was founded. Applied Policy President and CEO Jim Scott launched the program to give back to the schools that shaped his career—Catholic University and James Madison University. He recognized that while breaking into health policy requires experience, securing that first opportunity can be difficult. By providing interns with meaningful exposure to high-level policy discussions, Scott created an opportunity for students and recent graduates to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice—building skills that serve them well in careers across the healthcare sector.
Professional Growth
Emma Hammer, a Health Policy Manager, has experienced Applied Policy’s internship program from both sides—first as an intern and now as a mentor. She credits the program with exposing her to the kinds of healthcare clients she now works with regularly and shaping the thoroughness and professionalism she brings to each project.
“Participating in client projects from the start of my internship gave me insight into Applied Policy’s approach to supporting our clients in navigating regulatory challenges. That experience laid the foundation for how I approach my work today,” she said.
Catherine Chua, who joined Applied Policy as an intern in 2023, echoes Hammer’s observations. Asked about her expectations at the outset of her internship, she said she hoped it would present “the perfect transition from college to the workplace.” It did.
Now working for the federal government, Chua credits her internship experience with helping her take that next step. “AP staff did not hesitate to offer mentorship and guidance tailored to the federal application process,” she said. “Their advice, alongside the health policy analysis and synthesis skills I gained from my internship, gave me the confidence I needed going into my interviews and ultimately helped me land a full-time job at CMS.”
Structure, Selection, and Expectations
Applied Policy’s internship program is structured to align with the academic calendar, with fall/winter, winter/spring, and summer terms. The company works to accommodate the schedules of students concurrently enrolled in school. Interns are paid, but housing is not provided.
Intern selection is competitive, with candidates evaluated based on their academic standing and demonstrated interest in health policy. Voorhees says candidates’ past choices often speak volumes about their commitment to the field. “I can tell a lot about a candidate by how they’ve spent their summer breaks—did they take on jobs or internships in health-related fields? Have they actively pursued opportunities to engage with health policy? Those decisions reveal a great deal about their interest and readiness for this kind of work.”
Once selected, interns are held to the same standards of confidentiality and professionalism as full-time employees. They must adhere to strict confidentiality agreements regarding client discussions and policy work. Before interns take part in any meeting or project, clients are informed of their role and status within the company and asked to approve their participation.
By selecting interns who have already demonstrated a strong interest in health policy and holding them to professional expectations, Applied Policy ensures that its interns are prepared to engage meaningfully with complex policy issues while upholding the firm’s commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.
The Route to Internships
Landing an internship at Applied Policy often begins through word of mouth. Annie Tuttle, who joined Applied Polidy as an intern and is now a Health Policy Associate, learned of the program from a classmate. “I first heard about Applied Policy from a previous intern with whom I went to college. She recommended that I apply, as we were interested in the same topics and took many classes together in our undergraduate program,” Tuttle said.
Several current and former interns said they found the program through professional networks, with many citing the Society of Health Policy Young Professionals (SHPYP).
Several current and former interns said they found the program through professional networks, with many citing the Society of Health Policy Young Professionals (SHPYP). Others learned about the program through their colleges and universities—Applied Policy partners with Stanford University through the Stanford in Washington work-study program to connect students with hands-on policy experience.
Current intern Blaize Shiebler first connected with Applied Policy through Voorhees, who made a lasting impression. “I was primarily drawn to Applied Policy by the consistent communication from John, who made an effort to remain in touch with me across multiple semesters despite my schedule not working out during my initial application. This communication spoke volumes about the culture and type of colleagues I could expect at Applied Policy. I remember John saying something to the effect of, ‘We value good people here and are willing to go the extra mile for them.'”
Regardless of how they find their way to Applied Policy, interns quickly recognize that the program provides more than just a résumé boost—it’s an opportunity to engage with meaningful policy work from day one.
A Two-Way Street
Mentorship at Applied Policy extends beyond senior staff—interns also benefit from guidance from early-career professionals who have been in their shoes. Sasha Benson has found this type of support especially valuable. “My point of contact, Caitlyn Bernard, has made my time at AP amazing, providing excellent mentorship not just about my internship experience but about general career paths within health policy. She consistently answers my questions about different health policy processes and is such a good mentor to me, especially having a mentor closer in age.”
Former intern Will Olsen recalls that staff went out of their way to include him in all aspects of Applied Policy’s work. “Sabrina Luther did a wonderful job of making sure I was engaged in meaningful and impactful projects,” he said. Olsen noted that this support extended across the organization, with Senior Health Policy Manager Simay Okyay McNutt ensuring he had opportunities to participate in key initiatives. “She was a great and smart leader who made sure I was involved in our work,” he said.
For Applied Policy’s associates, working with interns isn’t just about providing guidance—it’s sometimes their first real experience in a leadership role. According to Voorhees, mentoring interns allows associates to develop essential management skills in a low-risk, high-reward environment. “It’s often their first opportunity to take on a leadership role, helping them build communication skills, delegate tasks effectively, and think more strategically about their work,” he said.
That growth isn’t just theoretical. Hammer has found that mentoring interns has given her a better understanding of her leadership style while sharpening her ability to identify what is actionable. “Explaining complex policy issues to interns has made me more intentional in how I communicate and structure my work,” she said. “It’s one thing to execute tasks yourself, but guiding someone else through them makes you think differently about the goals of a project.”
Maximizing the Experience
Past interns emphasize one key takeaway for those beginning an internship: make the most of the opportunity. Whether learning from experienced health policy professionals, building relationships with peers, or taking initiative on projects, former interns agree that success in the program comes from being engaged and proactive.
Katie Lawler encourages new interns to take full advantage of the expertise around them. “If you have the chance, talk to and meet as many people as you can here. Everyone has a unique experience and set of skills that you can learn from.”
Chua agrees, emphasizing that Applied Policy’s small-team environment creates a rare opportunity for interns to work closely with experienced professionals. “As an intern at AP, you are given the rare opportunity to work alongside health policy professionals of different backgrounds in an intimate setting. Take advantage of the team’s enthusiasm for your professional growth and their desire for your success by asking any and all questions. Also, use this time to get close with your intern cohort. To this day, I lean on my cohort for support.”
Beyond learning from colleagues, Annie Tuttle encourages interns to seek out work proactively. “I would say, don’t be afraid to ask to do more. There’s always more work to be done, and the worst thing that could happen is the associate would say no!”
From networking to professional development, former interns agree that the experience at Applied Policy is what each intern makes of it. Those who step up, ask questions, and take the initiative will gain policy knowledge, valuable connections, and professional confidence that will serve them long after the internship ends.
If you are interested in an Applied Policy internship, contact John Voorhees at jvoorhees@appliedpolicy for more information.