Instead of hiring general scientists or majors in chemistry and biology to work as environmental health specialists, the approach is suggested that an internship program be developed. Under the close supervision of the university coordinator and the health department supervisor, the intern works full-time as a productive member of the staff of local, county, or state health department while he gains practical experience, refines his basic environmental skills, learns to work with people, learns to identify problems and make reasonable recommendations, develops techniques for studying major problems in depth, and prepares comprehensive reports.