Students at the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business learn the value and importance early in their college career of having an internship before graduation.
Over the summer, Ivy students took part in a wide range of internships that added real-world experience to their resumes. Meet Madeline Nemmers, who shared why her summer internship added value to her college education.
Nemmers, a senior from Anamosa, Iowa, is majoring in healthcare management with a minor in communication studies. She chose this major and minor because she’s always been very interested in healthcare and recognized how important communication is in professional and personal life. Nemmers spent her summer as a workforce engagement intern at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa.
As the workforce engagement intern, Nemmers’ primary responsibility was to make sure that her staff stayed engaged with their work and that the hospital was an enjoyable place to work. Other projects consisted of making sure the Mary Greeley Cares Sunshine Cart was stocked with snacks, stickers, pens and pencils, bookmarks, and other items for staff, and working on recognition events such as anniversary luncheons, quarterly employee meals, innovation and excellence, pride awards, and the annual recognition event held in January. These events show appreciation for their employees and the work that’s done in the organization.
“I loved getting to see Nurses and Hospital Week all come together. Getting to celebrate with our staff for all their hard work, and it’s getting to be a two-week celebration, was so fun.”
— Madeline Nemmers
Nemmers also worked with Culture Champions, a voluntary group of department staff responsible for bringing the culture directly to their departments and the organization. Quarterly, they collaborate and get together to discuss what they have done in the past, what they wish to do in the future, and identify assistance if needed. Nemmers served as a moderator for the group, contacting them as much as possible to make sure they were informed, leading the collaborations, and helping out in as many ways as possible.
“I loved getting to see Nurses and Hospital Week all come together. Getting to celebrate with our staff for all their hard work, and it’s getting to be a two-week celebration, was so fun,” she said.
“Maddie was a wonderful addition to our team,” said Tammy Stegman, talent and engagement manager at Mary Greeley and Nemmers’ supervisor. “She was able to implement new initiatives and move programs forward in areas related to culture and employee engagement. Maddie was instrumental in the successful execution of our Employee Appreciation Day and Nurses and Hospital Week celebrations. All of this is impactful as we continue our work to be the best place to receive care, best place to work, and practice.”
Nemmers has had three internships in the past, and it’s shown her more and more where she fits in when it comes to her career. She experimented and tried something out of her comfort zone, which led to these positions.
What helped Nemmers search and prepare for her internship was the Ivy College of Business course BUSAD 2030, Professional Development in Business. This course helps students build individual and team strengths, including professional branding, creating a resume, networking, and preparing for interviews. Career fairs and other networking events that the college provides have also been helpful to Nemmers in discovering what interests her, as well as networking with others.
“Do something that you may not think would interest you. You will be surprised by how you may love what you thought you wouldn’t,” Nemmers said.
To connect with Madeline Nemmers or follow her collegiate and professional career, visit her LinkedIn profile.
