Every term, Healthcare Management juniors and seniors step into internships that are far more than résumé builders—they’re central to student learning and a proving ground for their emerging professional identities. These hands-on experiences (more than 50 this year alone!) invite students to pull back the curtain on the complex, fast-moving world of healthcare, where every project, meeting, and interaction becomes part of a larger story of growth.
Through data-driven projects, cross-functional teamwork, and real-world problem-solving, students sharpen the skills they’ve built in the classroom and refine their sense of what is to come.
The internship roles and responsibilities are as broad as the Healthcare Management field itself. Yet even with this diversity, there are striking common threads: the camaraderie of peers and colleagues who want them to succeed, the discovery of strengths they didn’t yet know they had, and the willingness to lean into every challenge with curiosity and purpose.
Now, as they prepare to graduate, these five students are moving forward with new competencies, expanded networks, and confidence, along with the clarity and momentum that only experience can bring.
Here, in their own words, five students share just how transformative internships can be.
Elijah Gavin
Major: Healthcare Management, CCAPS
Minor: Management, Carlson School of Management
Internship Location: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross MN)
I was very surprised by my experience working as a Member Engagement and Customer Experience intern at Blue Cross MN this summer.
When they accepted my offer, I had no idea that I would feel both challenged and empowered to grow my skills in new ways every day. I had heard horror stories about other internship experiences: projects involving mostly repetitive tasks with little room for developing marketable skills. But by the end of my first day in the office, it became clear to me that my internship coordinator and everyone I met across several teams were invested in my success!
Blue Cross MN has a culture of collaboration, and I got to see the power of relationship-building in action. I experienced working within a large, cross-functional organization for the first time, and I was encouraged to network with professionals across all disciplines and at all seniority levels.
My biggest takeaway is that no two career trajectories are identical, and few people end up where they initially imagined. During my projects, I collaborated with a cross-functional group of 26 stakeholders to introduce new behavioral health programs for health plan members with critical needs. This enhanced my project management skills, honed my data-driven decision-making skills, and increased my confidence when speaking publicly.
Throughout the summer, my internship cohort participated in professional-development seminars, volunteered with a local charity, and presented our projects to the executive leadership team. We even got to participate in a Q&A session with the CEO of Blue Cross MN, Dana Erickson, who taught us that the value of people and relationships is what defines a successful organization and a successful career.
If you are a student on the fence about seeking an internship experience, I encourage you to go for it! Nothing will better prepare you for your early career experiences after graduation, and the people you meet may become lifelong mentors and friends.
Shortly after graduating, Elijah will participate in CCAPS's learning abroad experience in Costa Rica. He is the recipient of Nolte Miller and Osher Reentry Scholarships.
Savannah Gilmore
Major: Healthcare Management, CCAPS
Internship Location: Aon
Looking back on my summer as a Health and Benefits intern at Aon, the most meaningful part of the experience was realizing how much I could learn and grow in such a short amount of time.
I came in a little unsure about what working in consulting would look like, and I left with not only a clearer understanding of the industry, but also a real sense of confidence in my ability to adapt and contribute meaningfully.
The variety of projects I worked on, from benchmarking client data to helping lead nationwide intern initiatives, showed me that I enjoy a mix of analytical work and the collaboration that consulting requires.
One of the most impactful intern projects I worked on was an AI adoption survey. Alongside a team of interns, I designed and distributed the survey across several Aon offices to measure employee attitudes, utilization, and knowledge of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot.
Analyzing the 200+ responses and presenting recommendations was eye-opening. It gave me the chance to see firsthand how a global firm is navigating technological changes and how data can be used to identify both barriers and opportunities. Leading this project pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me build skills in research design, data analysis, and presenting insights in ways leadership can act on.
The people I met were another highlight. My mentors were not only generous with their time and advice, but also modeled the kind of consultant and teammate I'd like to be one day. And connecting with other interns from different departments made me realize how diverse a company Aon is. Those relationships not only made the summer both fun and meaningful, but also gave me a professional network I know I can lean on as I move forward in my career.
One of the most exciting outcomes of this internship is that I will be returning to Aon full-time as a Health and Benefits Specialist after graduating in December. Knowing that I get to bring my summer experiences forward into a permanent role makes everything I learned feel even more valuable.
I'm eager to continue growing, take on new challenges, and contribute to the kind of impactful, people-focused work that drew me to Aon in the first place.
Gia Linh Pham
Major: Healthcare Management, CCAPS
Internship Location: Cassia Senior Living
My internship as a Project Coordinator focused on Volunteer Services has been an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. Working under the mentorship of Jeri Rosenberg, Senior HR Director, has provided me with invaluable insights into the intricacies of managing volunteer programs within a large organization.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this internship was the opportunity to assess and improve existing systems. The hands-on experience of gathering feedback, conducting research, and engaging with stakeholders opened my eyes to the importance of user-centric design in software solutions. It was surprising to learn just how critical effective communication and collaboration are across departments, and how they can drive innovation and improvements in operations.
Another unexpected highlight was the opportunity to interact with the site managers and volunteers who offered unique perspectives on their experiences. Hearing their challenges and aspirations allowed me to appreciate the human element behind volunteer work and the impact it has on both the organization and the community. These conversations reinforced my belief that fostering strong relationships is essential for creating a supportive and engaging environment.
I intend to leverage the knowledge and skills I've acquired in project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. The internship experience taught me the value of adaptability and continuous improvement, and that a willingness to listen and collaborate can lead to more effective solutions. I plan to incorporate these lessons into my professional endeavors, ensuring that I remain focused on enhancing the volunteer experience, driving organizational success, and making a positive contribution to the communities I serve.
Grace Skalicky
Major: Healthcare Management, CCAPS
Minor: Public Health, School of Public Health
Internship Location: Inspire Medical Systems
My internship at Inspire Medical Systems has been an incredible experience. The supportive environment offered me valuable exposure to the healthcare and medical device industry.
As a Physician Relations intern on the Medical Education team, I had the opportunity to learn from and observe a team dedicated to providing essential resources to care providers.
Through this role, I built professional relationships and strengthened skills in public speaking, communication, and collaboration, while also building confidence. I was also able to apply knowledge from my Healthcare Management studies at the University of Minnesota, making the experience even more impactful.
Inspire made me feel that my contributions were valued and meaningful. I am excited to have extended my internship into the fall 2025 semester and I am hoping to continue there upon graduation. I look forward to continuing to support the mission of treating obstructive sleep apnea and improving both the lives of patients and quality of care.
Tyler So
Major: Healthcare Management, CCAPS
Minor: Management, Carlson School of Management
Internship Location: Tactile Medical
I interned at Tactile Medical, a company that makes at-home therapy devices for people with chronic conditions like lymphedema. My role as a Customer Experience intern was to work with the marketing team on projects to improve the patient demonstration process.
I helped create patient materials, track feedback, and design surveys to better understand patient experiences. Most importantly I built a dashboard and surveys after seeing live demos so I could get a better view of how patients interact with the devices and measure demo success for leaders. This gave me a better view of how different teams work together to improve patient care.
The most meaningful part of my internship was seeing how patient feedback can lead to real changes in how the company works. It was eye-opening to see how much planning goes into making a patient’s first experience a positive one. I enjoyed creating tools that could be used to improve future demonstrations and learning from the advice of my mentors.
During my internship, which was extended into the school year, I have been strengthening my skills in communication, project management, and problem-solving, and I continue to apply these every day. This experience is reinforcing my passion for the medical device field and my commitment to making a meaningful difference for patients.
Tyler will join Gravie as a sales coordinator following graduation. He is the recipient of Karin L. Larson Legacy, Mucke-Roff, and Osher Reentry Scholarships.
