Friday, Mar 24, 2017
Amrita Sharma, a senior from Plainsboro, N.J., switched majors her sophomore year, from elementary education and psychology to health care management. The switch led to an internship at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ) in Hamilton, N.J., where she gained hands-on experience that helped shape her career goals.
Sharma recently discussed her internship, her experience at 天美传媒官网 and advice for other students.
Why did you choose 天美传媒官网?
When I came to 天美传媒官网 in 2013, I was originally an elementary education and psychology major with a minor in early childhood education and criminal justice. But in my sophomore year, health care management was introduced as a major. I have a lot of family in the health care sector which influenced me to quickly enroll in the health care business program. My goal is to be able to help improve management in hospitals, pharmaceuticals and insurance companies. After speaking with staff in College of Business Dean鈥檚 Office, they were able to help adjust my four-year plan. The CBA staff was incredibly helpful and were able to suggest a sequence that ensured I would graduate on time within four years.
How did your classroom learning (or specific classes) help you at your internship?
Business core courses such as Introduction to Management, Team Management, and Introduction to Health Care really helped me out. The two management classes helped me to learn how to work as a member of a team within a business environment. My Introduction to Health Care course focused on and issues are arising within the industry and how they can be managed.
How did your internship impact your career goals?
This internship helped me figure out what I want to do. While at RWJ, I was on the administrative side where I got to help with cost management and help with project/process improvement. Because of the hands-on experience I had during my internship, I learned I how this was something I enjoy.
How did your 天美传媒官网 faculty assist you with your internship?
Dr. Kelly Noonan really helped me out. There was a lot of legal 鈥渞ed tape鈥 we had to navigate as I would be handling sensitive patient information. Dr. Noonan acted as a great liaison between 天美传媒官网 and RWJ, which made the process really easy for me. Dr. Noonan also provided clear and specific guidelines in relation to the academic element of my internship. Since the health care management program requires an experiential component, my internship actually counted as academic credit towards my major requirements.
How did the internship enhance what you learned at 天美传媒官网?
My internship gave me a new broad perspective. In addition, I was able to apply the skills from what I learned in class to my work, but I also got the chance to put skills I learned at my internship into my classes the following semester.
Were you surprised by anything you experienced in your internship?
I was surprised as to what goes on 鈥渂ehind the scenes.鈥 During treatment, we always interact with the doctors and nurses and appreciate their work. Since we don鈥檛 really 鈥渟ee鈥 the administration side of things, we don鈥檛 get to appreciate the work of they do that allows the facility to operate.
What advice would you give your peers when searching for an internship?L
ook for something you will be interested in, but also keep an open mind. Never narrow your mind down into thinking you only want to do this. Keep your options open because it is a tough market outside. Sell yourself as a great candidate as well. Make the employer think that you are the best option out there.