Lisa and Anna's Internship Journey
We reached out to two participants of UCSF’s four-month staff internship program to find out more about their journey (see more background about the internship at the bottom).
What is your current role, and what internship did you apply for?
Lisa: As an Office Services Analyst in the UCSF Controller’s Office, I provide executive support, access administration, and general office support. My internship was during the first pilot year with the Budget Office. I learned about the 10-year financial plan and took an in-depth look at the auxiliaries revenue.
Anna: In my current role, I help prepare health professional students (Medical, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy) for competitive opportunities, both in residencies and careers. For my internship, I joined the Learning and Organization Development team in HR to learn about the staff development side of UCSF.
How did the internship help you?
Lisa: I loved working with our “our sister department” in the Budget Office. I got to meet new people, and get a better understanding of the office and various budgets. It was fascinating to see where all the numbers come from! I also enjoyed learning more about different departments, such as the School of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Campus Life Services. A lot of my growth since then has been in cross-training. For example, in procurement, before I only ordered supplies through Bear Buy, but now I can manage purchase orders and change order requests.
Anna: Since I work with students, I loved taking a deeper dive into the management and staff side of development and training. I wanted to learn more about distance learning, particularly e-course development and learning design, and I did both! Learning about the different departments and their daily life and challenges––like Nursing and Clinical Coordination––was all new for me, too. Getting to know the staff on the ground level helped me understand what I’m preparing my students for, and how all the pieces work together in a large hospital environment. You can read books but to talk to people about their issues and struggles is more meaningful.
What would you say to staff considering applying?
Lisa: Some staff might feel hesitant to apply because they care so much about their current role and want to ensure operational effectiveness. I’ve found it’s an overall positive for both staff and departments in our organization. I was also lucky to gain a great peer group and a mentor, relationships that continue today.
Anna: Those who have taken the time to create concrete professional goals for this experience will get the most out of it. I had a specific plan for myself, so the time I spent was almost like getting a mini masters! If at all possible, I recommend the 100% time internship as it’s easier to learn, work on projects, and bond with your team.