My UTSIP Experience

Purpose in a time of uncertainty. That’s how a fellow intern in my cohort described their experience with the UT System this summer. As I reflect on my own ten weeks with UTS, I find myself circling back to this statement given that that's exactly what this internship was for me. Belonging to something bigger than myself anchored me in uncertain times by motivating and providing me the resources and tools to continue my overall development as I spent my summer at home.

As a Human Resources intern with the Office of Talent and Innovation (OTI), I was fortunate to work alongside another very smart and outgoing intern from the University of Texas at El Paso who was a key player in my success in this role. We worked together on two major projects which were the review and implementation of internal policy and the materialization of a guide for a key HR process. Collaborating with the HR Business Partners was one of the biggest learning experiences as I was able to gain insight into their role within higher education and how they adapted to many unprecedented changes in the workplace.

The program was composed of three moving parts that focused on different aspects of my personal and professional experience. The first component consisted of my day-to-day tasks and projects with OTI. The second was the professional development portion which included workshops, and coffee chats with Vice-Chancellors and Chancellor Milliken. The third, and my personal favorite, was a mentorship with a senior managing attorney that allowed for career exploration, networking, and invaluable advice that I will remember for the rest of my career.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I read an article by Dr. Patrick Wright in which he mentioned that one of COVID’s silver linings is that it would help us identify good and bad leadership. Looking back at recent months I realize that that is in fact what COVID has done. The bottom line is that this internship program was made possible and propelled forward thanks to great leadership and hard work at all levels. What was supposed to be an in-person experience was quickly transitioned to a virtual setting which ensured continuity and made all the difference for seniors such as myself who were unsure of how their last summer of undergrad would pan out. I feel honored to have been a part of the inaugural class of the UT System's Internship Program and am beyond proud to be graduating from one of its institutions this fall.

Huge shout out to everyone at the UT System for a great summer!