Like many upcoming college graduates, the most persistent question I’m asked is, “What career field would you like to pursue?” If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would not have answered working within the health care industry. Not one for taking many risks, I was baffled by the opportunity to intern in an industry where I had no prior knowledge. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the state’s largest nonprofit health care insurer, delivered an internship experience outside of my comfort zone and beyond my expectations.

As an upcoming graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, I now recognize my ideals and what to look for in my next career position. Not only did I gain further knowledge of a complex industry, but I was also able to finally work in-person, which gave me the necessary experience to establish my professionalism. I truly believe I found a work environment where I felt a sense of belonging.

Many of Blue Cross’ summer interns felt the same as I did when it came to working for a large organization.

“I think a lot of people get very intimidated by big companies. One thing I can take away from this is that Blue Cross does not feel like a big company,” says Makayla George, a talent acquisition intern for human resources studying at Hamline University in St. Paul. “By developing connections with my team, through associate resource groups and at a recent all-associate open house, Blue Cross feels like a supportive place to work.”

"Blue Cross feels like a supportive place to work.” – Makayla George, Blue Cross talent acquisition intern

Development in knowledge and professionalism

Trying to understand health insurance can be stressful. At the start of my internship, I felt a little overwhelmed trying to comprehend the industry. I had to quickly get the hang of insurance terminology and corporate language. Coming from a family of insurance professionals, I would have thought I would already know some basic aspects of the industry. I was completely oblivious until I walked through Blue Cross’ doors.

It is no secret the health insurance industry is complex. Every day presented a new challenge for me. With further experience, it became less like drinking from a fire hose and more of an opportunity for me to develop professionally. During my internship, I acquired many new skills in marketing research, collaboration, information processing and decision making.

Overall, I learned that health care is, in a literal sense, a lifeline for many people. Previously, I had taken for granted how significant health benefits can be to a job.

Sarah Gleason, an experience design intern, gave her perspective on how the health care industry is evolving to improve member experience.

“Health care, especially insurance, is often viewed as a negative thing, but my internship definitely gave me a different perspective.” – Sarah Gleason, Blue Cross experience design intern

“I gained knowledge about the health care industry, in general, and how technology can improve a user’s experience,” says Sarah. “I appreciate how Blue Cross is bringing on designers to create new systems and update outdated ones.”

“I've also learned that health care really wants to advance,” adds Sarah. “Health care, especially insurance, is often viewed as a negative thing, but my internship definitely gave me a different perspective.”

Sarah is studying product design and user experience at the University of Minnesota. Thanks to the internship experience, she can now utilize her skills towards her future endeavors.

“I gained project management skills by creating my own events, interviewing and running a user testing situation on my own. I also gained interpersonal skills by talking to different groups within various departments. It's interesting to navigate that and improve my design skills from feedback and user testing.”

An inclusive and welcoming culture

It was important for me to start my career where my values aligned with the corporation’s social responsibilities. The encouraging culture at Blue Cross made me feel welcome.

I chose to apply at Blue Cross because of the mission towards a “member first “philosophy – a nonprofit prioritizing its valued members. I quickly recognized that associates were strongly valued. The environment was effortlessly welcoming to me. It calmed the intimidation of being an intern at a large organization. Everyone within the customer experience team made me feel as though I was a respected associate.

I was also comfortable voicing my perspective and strategies throughout the whole experience. By the end, I truly felt that Blue Cross was where I belonged.

I was not the only intern who felt a sense of belonging. Nimo Gelle, a product management intern studying at the University of Minnesota, agrees.

"I was directly connected to racial and health equity leaders and resources so I could work on projects that support that mission.” – Nimo Gelle, product management intern

“Between the different people I've met and the intern events that I've gone to, I’ve learned so much about what is being done to improve the member experience, from a holistic aspect, and improve racial and health equity,” says Nimo. “From the beginning, I was asked questions like, ‘What do you want to work on? What are your passions? What are things you're interested in?’ That was a big thing for me.”

“I am passionate about improving racial and health equity,” adds Nimo. “Once I mentioned that, I was directly connected to racial and health equity leaders and resources so I could work on projects that support that mission.”

Making an impact in our communities

As a market research analyst intern, I recognized the significance of listening to the member’s experiences. At Blue Cross, we strategize how to create experiences where our members’ needs are valued and reassured. It also evolves around building empathy with our members.

Blue Cross gives all associates the opportunity to volunteer for nonprofits we want to support. This teaches associates how to advocate for the communities where we provide service. Our intern team spent our volunteer hours together by providing local communities with produce grown at our headquarters in Eagan.

Sophia Kvam, an upcoming junior at Iowa State University, is studying marketing and public relations. Although Sophia worked remotely throughout the entire internship, she was able to use her volunteer hours at the Blue Cross Giving Garden with other associates and interns.

"Volunteering was a great experience to meet others, interact with associates outside of work and keep making a difference.” – Sophia Kvam, CX Member Communications & Engagement intern

“Having paid volunteer hours was great,” says Sophia. “We harvested close to 25 pounds of produce and donated it to the Open Door Pantry in Eagan. It was a great experience to meet others, interact with associates outside of work and keep making a difference.”

Lasting impressions

I am appreciative of my internship at Blue Cross because of the relationships I created. I now consider some associates as my mentors who always strive towards helping me with what I want to achieve.

Our interns did a great job of using a 'member-first' lens while delivering on their summer projects,” says Katie Thompson, the consumer experience and insights lead at Blue Cross. “The team was passionate about connecting the dots across functional areas and asking deep questions. Also, the interns were fantastic at collaborating to achieve shared objectives, leveraging each other's background to learn and deliver results in their respective projects.”

Tatiana Kaslow is a market research analyst intern at Blue Cross and a global business major at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn.