Simran Verma

Sociology

St. Jude Children's Hospital

How has your internship helped build skills and clarify your career goals?

My internship has helped me build my skills and clarify my career goals in a few different ways. I have had the opportunity to sit in on many meetings and speak in front of company executives, allowing me to work on building relationships and foster my public speaking skills. Additionally, this opportunity has allowed me to gain incredible insight into the world of healthcare organizations and the nonprofit sector. My internship has provided me with the chance to work alongside some of the best & brightest in the nonprofit sector while doing all that we can to ensure future generations can live in a world that is rid of all cancer and disease. This opportunity has fostered my love for nonprofits, it has been the most incredible experience filled with stimulating projects, and amazing networking opportunities as well.

How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills in your internship?

Some of the Liberal Arts skills I have been able to apply in my internship are my communication and interpersonal skills. I have been able to form and maintain professional relationships with my superiors as well as work collaboratively with my peers and fellow interns. Additionally, my Liberal Arts skills have allowed me to think outside the box, and I have been able to apply my creativity to many of my projects.

Describe your typical day as an intern.  

A typical day at my internship is getting to work around 8:30 - 9 AM, clocking in and checking in with my team/supervisor about what needs to get done that day. Then I head to Starbucks before really getting started on my work. Later on in the morning I may have the opportunity to sit in on a few calls with foundations located overseas that my department works with. After all that, I head to lunch with my fellow interns and we all debrief about our morning. After lunch, I head back to my desk and check in with my team again. I’m the only intern in my department so there is always plenty for me to do. I give them a status update for my projects and then head back to my desk for a couple more hours of work. Typically I take a break in between to get a snack or drink from the vending machine. My office has 25 cent vending machines and its the best thing ever. I clock out and head home around 5 pm.

What was the most challenging aspect of your internship?  

I think the most challenging part of my internship was honestly not being from the Memphis area and not knowing a single soul. Being the only intern in my department made getting to know other people slightly trickier as well. Eventually I knew that if I wanted to make the most of my experience I was going to have to go out of my way to create those bonds and make connects with my peers and my team. Once I did that, and got over my initial nervousness everything truly went great!

What was the most exciting thing about your role? 

The most exciting thing about my role was the projects I got to work on and the access I had to my team and other top level executives! Everyone at my internship is more than willing to help you learn and understand and truly wants to see you succeed. It was exciting to be able to ask them questions on end and having them answer all of them. I never felt like just “the intern.” I felt a part of the team, and the responsibilities I was given cemented that feeling.

What surprised you most about your internship? 

What surprised me most about my internship was how invested people are in the interns, from the CEO to the security guards. The amount of genuine interest displayed by all these people blew me away. I was able to forge authentic relationships with many people within the organization, and they were only too happy to share their wealth of knowledge with me.

Describe the most meaningful experience you had as an intern.

The most meaningful experience I had as an intern was when I got to participate in discussions centered around diversity and inclusion that the CEO of ALSAC, conducted. It displayed a genuine desire to move the organization in a direction that reflects those values every day. Additionally, one day after work my roommate who worked in the Investment department, introduced me to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO). For an hour, he had a conversation with us and answered my multitude of questions ranging from the functions of his department to how he got to his particular position. These were meaningful experiences to me, because it only enhanced my experience as an intern. Being able to speak and create relationships with company executives who are so willing to educate their interns and will take time out of their very busy schedules to do so means a lot. They truly believe in the interns they hire and want to provide them with the best experience possible.

How did you learn about your internship?

I learned about my internship through LinkedIn.

Did you meet with the Liberal Arts Career Center prior to applying for this internship? What kind of assistance did you receive?

I met with the Liberal Arts Career Center prior to applying to see what kind of opportunities might be out there and where to start my search. I also received some assistance when they provided me with information regarding the Job ready award.