Samuel Parker recently graduated from PUC with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management and has since been a management and operations intern at AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region. Serving two rotations in supply chain and operations – strategy and development, he has had the opportunity to shadow professionals, participate in leadership training courses, and visit different sites. 

From Warrenton, Oregon, Samuel heard about this great internship as a student when an AdventHealth recruiter visited campus. “I was drawn to the industry because I felt that it was a positive and impactful way to utilize my business degree to serve others,” said Samuel. “I was drawn specifically to AdventHealth as I was impressed with the strong professional development the internship offered.”

Samuel kindly shared more about his summer internship with us and how PUC helped him prepare for post-graduate life. 

What is the most surprising thing you learned about this industry so far? 

I think the most surprising part about this industry to me so far has been the interconnectivity. There are so many different, unique roles within a hospital. While totally different, all these individuals collaborate in one way or another. The hospital functions much more as a team than it does in individual spaces.

Which task are you enjoying the most, and which has been the hardest?

I am most enjoying the time I have spent in operations, solving unique challenges, collaborating with others, and getting an inside look at processes and decisions that run the hospital. Some of the data analytics work I have completed has likely been the hardest task. Defining what is important to the team when you are new to an industry is a challenge, but a good educator. 

How do you approach connecting and networking with leadership at the company during your internship? 

I am very fortunate that AdventHealth’s program promotes networking and makes connecting with leaders very accessible. Obviously, there are certain respectful processes, but I have not come across a leader at any level of the organization who has not been more than happy to entertain my questions or sit down for a conversation; one that you often learn a great deal from. This access is, in my opinion, one of the more valuable parts of being an intern.

What specific new skills have you learned during your internship? 

So far, I have received great experience in project management and how a team functions effectively. I have also gotten to practice and hone those more “technical”, day-to-day business skills.

How did your time at PUC help prepare you for this internship? Is there a specific class you’ve taken at PUC that helped prepare you for the tasks you’re doing during your internship? 

PUC prepared me to enter this internship by giving me a solid background in managing priorities and expectations, and providing basic healthcare-specific knowledge through my emphasis in college. Although my healthcare classes were some of the most helpful, I would mention my Business Law and Business Ethics curriculum as preparing me for the internship. These courses required professional debates. The process of preparing for a debate teaches you strong teamwork skills, while the act of speaking in a debate helps train you in clear and concise communication. Both skills have been essential in the workplace. 

Who was of great support during your senior year at PUC that helped and shaped you for post-grad life?

Professor Abram Fisher was an incredible mentor during my time at PUC. He always kept an open door and often chatted with students about ranging topics from class material to career ambitions. He has an incredible ability to help any student critically think through problems and puzzles, inviting you to open your perspective, with an ever-present kindness in doing so that I admire.

What did you appreciate the most about PUC’s business department? 

I appreciated the small class sizes, kind professors, and opportunity for growth in the PUC business department. There are plenty of areas to get involved in and further your personal and professional growth, and the professors are always alongside you for that journey.

What will you miss the most about your time at the college? 

I will miss the people and the campus. PUC’s campus is such a blessing.

How did the expectations of this professional environment differ from what you were used to in your college courses?

One of the largest environmental shifts for me was the communication difference. Often in college, we are speaking directly to professors and working on tasks one at a time. In a professional environment, the frequency and expectation of communication and cross-team collaboration on multiple tasks at once is a serious step up.

Did this internship change or solidify the career path you want to pursue post-graduation? 

Although I bounced around for a while, by the end of college I was imagining myself going into something healthcare-related. This internship has given me a great real-world perspective into what a career in this field could look like.

How has this internship shaped the type of company culture or role you are targeting? 

I think that this experience has made me realize how valuable good culture and a strong mission are. While I am a firm believer that we can make a difference wherever we serve, being in a company that supports those ideals is valuable.

What advice do you have for PUC students in your field preparing for internships? 

As a student, I frequently asked internship coordinators questions along the lines of, “What can I do to prepare? What do I need to know?” While these sound like good questions, they came more from a fear of failure than a desire to be prepared. I would encourage students: Don’t worry more than you need to. You are more capable than you think you are, and what you can’t do or don’t know, you will learn. Internships are built for you to grow within a supportive environment. People are excited to see you and excited to help you. Breathe easy, take advantage of the opportunity (whether it ends up being your career field or not), and try your best. That way you’ll learn and have a much better time doing it.