For the 3rd year, SAKS Health has offered Summer Internship opportunities for undergrad college students interested in learning through hands-on experience about healthcare communications and innovation. From 101 sessions with top leadership to gaining real time experience through various projects, the SAKS Health internship is geared towards learning from each department.
This year's internship cohort included Van Tran and Bode Lonergan. Van is a senior at William Smith Colleges double majoring in Economics and Mathematics. Bode is a junior at Hobart College double majoring in Economics and Anthropology/Sociology. Hear what they had to say about their internship experience.
What did you expect at the start of your internship experience and how has that expectation changed or stayed the same?
Van - “From the start of the internship, I was looking forward to learning more about the healthcare industry as much as possible given that I started off having absolutely zero knowledge relating to the field. And at the end of the internship, I came out learning so much, so it indeed met my expectations for gaining an understanding of the healthcare industry.”
Bode - “I had very few expectations because this was my first internship but I loved my whole experience and am so happy I was selected into the program.”
What would you tell prospective interns?
Bode - “Expect to work on many different projects and learn how each department collaborates to solve challenges and deliver high-quality work.”
Van - “I would say to keep an open mind and learn everything and anything along the way, even to get to know more of SAKS’ team members, ask questions about them, their stories, experiences, their career, etc. And if you are ‘brand new’ to the healthcare industry, try to shadow work with the team as much as possible, spend more time doing research about the client companies that we’re working with, and appreciate the process because that is the best way to learn healthcare terminology and actually understand it.”
How, if at all, has your perception of the pharma/healthcare industry changed?
Van - “My perception of the pharma industry has definitely developed. I always believed that healthcare was all about developing drugs and bringing them to the market. However, after the program, I understand that pharma is way more than that as they focus on helping patients.”
Bode - “It has changed drastically. I knew almost nothing before and now I feel that I have a much deeper understanding. I think it's interesting how so many different parts of the healthcare field interact with each other.”
Do you believe this internship has prepared you for the post-grad professional job search?
Bode - “Yes, this internship has done more than I could've expected when it comes to preparing me for a full time career after finishing my degree at Hobart.”
Van - “I got to know and work with so many amazing people, which I’m convinced has best prepared me for the post-grad professional job search. I believe that the network is always the most important resource regardless of what field I will be working in.”
As in the past, this year's interns did a tremendous amount of learning and work in a few short weeks during the summer. They applied what they’ve learned during their undergraduate studies and came ready to learn and contribute every day. We wish Van and Bode the best of luck as the school year begins again and in all their future endeavors. SAKS Health is currently taking applications for the 2025 Summer Internship Program. If you are interested in applying please contact us.
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