General Information (See Below)
Intern Job Descriptions by Department
Hear from Past Interns
Facts About NIFS
Download an Intern Application (Microsoft Word Document)
Download an Intern Application (PDF)

Thank you for your interest in the Internship Program at NIFS! NIFS offers 14- to 16-week paid internships to provide practical experience to students studying within the health/fitness field. Click link above for a detailed description of the various internship opportunities.

Upcoming internship dates:

Application Process

Before applying for a particular semester, please make sure that you are available to begin your internship on the date indicated above. If you are not able to start your internship on the date listed, you will not be eligible for that semester and must consider applying for a different semester.

In order to apply, you need to send the following:

1. A completed application form
2. An updated resume
3. A copy of your transcripts (this can be a copy issued to you or an official copy)

Once all of your information is received, your application packet will be forwarded to the selection committee for review. We will not begin reviewing your credentials until all information is received. Please send your application to:

NIFS
Attn: Internship Coordinator
250 University Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Heather Fink, MS, RD, CSSD, NIFS Internship Coordinator, at hfink@nifs.org or 317.274.3432 ext. 238.
For an internship application, click link at the top of the page or email with any questions.

Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate Students
Junior or Senior status with priority given to candidates within 12 – 15 credit hours of graduation.

Graduate Students
Current enrollment in a graduate program or recent completion of graduate degree.

We do not require that you earn academic credit for the internship; however, if you do receive credit, your internship needs to be coordinated through your university supervisor. Please contact the internship director at your university prior to applying so that your application process runs smoothly. In addition, we require you to have successfully completed a CPR course (adult, child, infant CPR and relief of choking).

Stipend

A stipend of $300 per month will be provided at the end of each four-week period. Taxes will be deducted from each paycheck.

Application/Selection Procedures

In order to apply, you must send the following information to the internship coordinator:

1. Completed application form
2. An updated resume
3. A copy of your transcripts (this can be an unofficial copy issued to you)

Once all of this material is received, it will be forwarded to the appropriate coordinator(s) for review. Selection will occur during the time frame listed above. Positions will be determined based on experience, achievement, professional recommendations and a phone interview. If you are located close to Indianapolis, you are welcome to call and arrange an interview on site. During this visit, you will be able to meet several of the staff and see the facility. Positions will be filled on an ongoing basis beginning on the selection date listed above.

Housing

Interns are responsible for securing their own housing during their internship; however, we will assist you in several ways. First, we will provide you with a list of names of other interns whom you can contact to share an apartment. Secondly, interns selected into the program will receive a listing of affordable housing options located near NIFS.

Internship Duties

Each intern is assigned to a staff member who will ensure that experience in the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of the position are provided. Most interns work eight-hour days, Monday through Friday, and have the weekends free; however, there may be some special circumstances where the intern is required to work in the evenings and/or on weekends depending on the internship position. The specific hours and schedule in which the intern works each day is dependent upon the position and will be assigned by his or her supervising staff member.

Interns work an average of 40 hours per week; approximately 26 hours will be spent in the center to which they have been assigned; 10 – 12 hours will be spent working with the NIFS Youth Field Trip Program; and 2 – 4 hours will be spent working on projects, in weekly meetings, or experiencing other areas within NIFS.

In addition to your regular duties, you will be asked to assist in various events and programs. It is our philosophy that interns should be able to experience a broad range of activities in the health and fitness industry so that they can be more marketable when they seek employment. Some of the additional activities you may be involved with include:

• Health screenings
• Health fairs
• Workshops
• Older adult exercise program
• Nutrition and weight management program
• Special events (e.g., team building, fitness demonstrations, training programs, member appreciation events, etc.)

Internship Requirements

Each intern will be expected to complete the following educational requirements. Completion dates will be discussed during the internship.

• Deliver a 20-minute oral presentation.
• Complete weekly evaluations of progress and objectives.
• Write a lay article on a topic of interest.
• Update your resume.
• Submit an evaluation of your internship experience.

Types of Internships Available

• Group Fitness: This internship is for the individual who teaches group fitness and is interested in learning about the development and coordination of group fitness programs. There is one position available in this area.
• Athletic Performance: This internship is for the individual who is interested in working with athletes of all ages in a wide variety of sports. Interns in this position are usually interested in becoming strength and conditioning coaches. There is one position available in this area.
• Corporate Fitness Management: This internship is for the individual who is interested in working in a fitness center located within a corporation. The intern in this position will be assigned to one of the 31 corporate sites managed by NIFS. There are three positions available in this area.
• Educational Services: This internship is for the individual who is interested in developing, promoting and implementing nutrition, fitness and wellness programs. The intern in this position is usually interested in becoming a Wellness Coordinator, Health Promotion Specialist, Health Educator, Registered Dietitian and/or Facility Manager. There are one to two positions available in this area.
• Fitness Center: This internship is for the individual who is interested in working in a large and diverse fitness center. There are one to two positions available in this area.
• Marketing/Public Relations: This internship is for the individual who is interested in promotion and marketing of fitness, wellness and athletic programs. There is one position available in this area.
• Youth Development: This internship is for the individual interested in working with children from preschool through high school in all areas of health and fitness education. There is one position available in this area.

Click here for in-depth descriptions of each position. When applying for an internship,
you will be able to indicate a first, second and third choice for positions.

If you have any questions, please email us.