Zuleika Rosthenhausler used the internship as an opportunity to expand her current role at the State of Arizona to create updated processes for new hire onboarding.
How did you get your internship?
I have worked for the State of Arizona for over 18 years and have over 10 years of managerial experience, so I was looking for an internship experience that would expand my current responsibilities so I could gain skills while maintaining my full-time job. I chose this internship because it aligned perfectly with my interest in continuing my career path with my current employer. My supervisor supported me at every step of the way to make my internship a reality so I could achieve my career goals.
Why did you choose this internship?
Choosing an internship while working for a full-time organization was a challenge. I felt it was hard to complete because the duties of a field office manager are already challenging, so it’s hard to imagine adding to an already busy workload. However, learning that I could do both while also improving my analytical skills and problem-solving abilities by tackling operational challenges and implementing solutions to improve client experience made choosing this path an easy “yes”.
What skills did you develop in this internship?
Throughout my internship, I continued developing my analytical skills through data visualization, problem-solving, and critical thinking. I began working on creating data visualizations that efficiently compare and evaluate attrition and turnover rates in order to identify potential areas for improvement. This project remains a work in progress. I am confident that my contribution to the project can make a significant impact on our organization.
How did your Applied Humanities major coursework give you unique insight for the internship experience?
The coursework I have completed has prepared me because it has given me a different perspective on intercultural competency and the human condition, allowing me to contribute to the agency as a public servant with public-facing projects with multicultural backgrounds. I also have the ability to overcome challenges and improve comprehension of complex relationships involving human behavior.
What was your favorite or most satisfying part of your internship?
Since I was able to develop a monitoring system for new hires moving into training, my first project was the most significant to me. I led the streamlining process by allowing the supervisor to centralize all progress records so that the trainer, trainee, and supervisor can easily monitor the process and identify any opportunities that may have been missed. It provided me the self-assurance and independence to carry on working on the onboarding process without any restrictions.
What did you find most challenging about your internship?
As a public servant in the oversight of field office operations, maintaining a balance between school and personal life is essential and challenging at times. Finding time to make progress on this project was difficult because the agency was experiencing multiple difficulties at once, from financial to staffing issues. Operating with some teams short-staffed while still rolling out pilot programs left me with less time to focus on internship assignments and the opportunity to design my own office pilot for onboarding new employees.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for their internship?
Sometimes, the ideal internship is there in front of you. Talk to your supervisor about any potential prospects you may have at your current place of work. Sometimes you believe you've learned everything there is to know about your profession, but setting objectives and reinventing yourself can reignite the passion you had when you first started. I would also advise that when looking for an internship with no experience, consider what you are passionate about and find something that aligns with the path you want to take.