After completing a summer internship in 2021 on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team in the Human Resources Department at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Liz McCadden was asked to come back to the team for a second year in summer 2022. The Professional and Public Writing senior said this internship allowed her to explore different opportunities in her field while gaining experience designing a new website and helping employees find their voice.

What were your internship responsibilities?

Through this internship, I gained insight into possible career paths as well as experience in a Human Resources role. My responsibilities were to design a new website for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team as well as create an onboarding process for new hires at Spectrum Health. Along with these roles, I worked closely with each Inclusion Resource Group to help employees find their voice in their community.

How did you obtain your internship?

I obtained this internship through the Handshake website at MSU. I applied the first year and was offered the opportunity. I then was asked to come back for a second year!

What did your daily routine include?

My daily routine included morning meetings from 8 to 10 a.m. After that, I would do some website design until my lunch break. After lunch, I would meet with my mentor and talk about different career pathways, and she would give me an assignment for the week.

Your favorite experience from the internship?

My favorite experience from my internship was the opportunity to tour the various Spectrum Health facilities. I was able to see the helicopter pad for emergency medicine as well as different simulation systems throughout the different hospitals.

What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?

I was able to build upon my human resources and communication skills as well as learned different website design skills.

What did you learn about your career path as a result of this internship, and what are your future plans?

I learned more about what career path I want to go into through career explorations at Spectrum Health. My future plans are to work in the Nutrition Services sector at Spectrum Health and eventually become a Nutrition Services Supervisor who does the hiring for the team.

What advice do you have for other students seeking internship opportunities?

Look on different career websites! Handshake, LinkedIn, etc., are your friend. Expand your network and talk to your professors about your career interests. My professors have been some of the most influential people in steering me toward job opportunities.

(Q&A originally published by the Excel Network)