Life as an Intern Manager

What prompted you to pursue the opportunity of managing an intern?

When I was in college, I interned at a healthcare communications agency, which played a pivotal role in shaping my career. The internship opened the door for a career in copywriting, and by the end of the three-month program, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare. I concluded that by managing an intern, I could help shape the same experience for another person entering the industry.

What were your key responsibilities as an Intern Manager in addition to your core role?

During the program, I prioritized providing my intern with ample exposure to the various aspects of the business and broadened their understanding of the work that we do. This meant setting up meetings with members of our wider team as well as colleagues from other disciplines within Avalere Health. I also outlined daily responsibilities of my intern, focusing on exposing them to different types of projects, such as the different requirements of branded versus unbranded content.

What was most rewarding about the experience of mentoring an intern?

Transitioning from college to the professional world can be complex for individuals who are new to the industry. Providing a healthy environment for them to learn is invaluable, so it was rewarding to be a resource for my intern during that period of adjustment. It was also rewarding to see them implement learnings from prior assignments in their later tasks without my instruction, which really highlighted their growth over the 10-week program.

What were the key highlights of your time as an Intern Manager?

The weekly one-on-one meetings with my intern were a consistent highlight of the program. This gave us the space to have open conversations about career opportunities within copywriting, the structure of the wider business, and life in general. However, the biggest highlight was bringing our intern onto the team with a full-time role at the end of the program and being able to work together in a more permanent capacity—while still having those weekly one-on-ones!

How would you describe the working environment at Avalere Health?

One of our core values at Avalere Health is that we value difference: difference of thought, difference of opinions, and difference of perspectives. By collaborating, we bring together these differences to provide a more holistic understanding of the work we do. This focus on collaboration also often leads to stronger working relationships, better deliverables for our clients, and ultimately, improved health outcomes for the patients we serve. This is also the first organization I’ve worked in where everyone is always encouraged to show up to work every day as their true, authentic selves. I believe this really helps drive our positive work environment—because who wants to show up to work as anyone other than themselves?

How do you manage a healthy work-life balance?

I always ensure to check in with my team at the end of each day; it gives me clarity that our work is complete, no one is left depending on something, and helps me to truly switch off after the workday ends. When your home and your office are in the same physical space, separating the two can be tricky, so it’s vital to find something like this to help you switch off and conclude the day with.

What do you enjoy doing outside of working hours?

I love watching a good horror movie! I also enjoy making unnecessarily intricate meals in my kitchen, getting a new piece at my local tattoo shop, or at the gym lifting weights with terrible form.

Do you have any advice for future interns?

The benefits of networking cannot be overstated—particularly for interns because every conversation you have can be a learning opportunity, and every connection you make can support your future career. Don’t be afraid of asking questions. Most importantly, be yourself; you don’t want to work somewhere where you can’t be your true, authentic self.

 

Find out more about our internship program here.