Inside the HCSG Internship Journey
Starting an internship often comes with both excitement and uncertainty. As the summer before my senior year at Ursinus College was coming to an end, I decided to find an opportunity to intern at a local company to start exploring a potential career path before my fall semester began.
Throughout my time in school, I learned that networking and establishing mutual connections are crucial for securing a job or internship, which led me to reach out to everyone I knew with the goal of securing an internship before the school year started. One of my connections put me in touch with Healthcare Services Group (HCSG), a national company that provides housekeeping and dining services to long-term care facilities.
When I began my internship at HCSG, I quickly realized the meaningful opportunities available to learn, contribute, and grow in a professional setting. From the moment I walked through the door, I was welcomed and treated like any member of the marketing department. My days at HCSG offered a nice balance of team collaboration and independence, allowing for creativity to spark. Morning check-ins with my team helped align priorities and goals, and from there, I focused on writing and editing blog copy, designing social media content, and editing videos.
HCSG Marketing Intern
Regular brainstorming sessions with the marketing team provided me with valuable insights into how marketing and internal communication strategies are developed and executed. Each project provided me with the chance to enhance my inspiration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
Perspectives Across Departments
What stood out to me most about my internship was the frequent collaboration between marketing and communications and other departments. For example, one of the projects I worked on was the company email digest that is sent to all managers every week. Between Employee Engagement, Payroll, Benefits, and other departments, I saw firsthand how important it was for company updates to be communicated to employees. I noticed how much smoother things ran when updates were shared with clear and concise messaging. It showed me how big a difference good communication makes, not just for one department, but for the entire company.
Through that project, I had the chance to follow up with other departments and connect with fellow interns. Between the risk management and archives departments, I formed relationships with fellow interns who gained entirely different yet equally valuable experiences.
My colleague Eddie Wright, a sophomore at Bloomsburg University, shared how constructive and rewarding his time in the Risk Management department was. Having worked in one of HCSG’s long-term care facilities before coming to the corporate office, Eddie saw firsthand how various housekeeping and dining roles work together to make a positive impact in the lives of residents. He explained, “Knowing my past experience in long-term care helps improve our team members’ lives and gives me a sense of purpose. In my current role, analyzing data, problem-solving, and finding solutions that prevent injuries has been really neat.”
Another intern, Jack Czarnecki, a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, worked on a large-scale archives initiative to digitize files. His efforts helped save significant amounts of physical resources used. While technical skills were part of the experience, Jack emphasized, “Being able to sharpen my communication skills has been the most helpful lesson for me.”
When asked what advice both Eddie and Jack would offer to future interns, Eddie mentioned, “Ask questions if you need help. Be transparent and stay curious.” Jack recommended embracing the social aspect of the workplace. He said, “Always be open to forming relationships. Try to meet as many people as you can and have fun!”
Hearing Eddie and Jack’s perspectives reinforced the communication, connection, and collaboration I was experiencing at HCSG. My internship opened my eyes to the different paths a career in marketing and communication could take me. It was a great opportunity to make connections and head into my final year of college with confidence and excitement for my future.
Career Opportunities with HCSG
For recent college graduates and job seekers, HCSG provides a wide range of career opportunities across departments. From internships to full-time roles, our career development strategies are designed to help individuals build valuable skills, advance their professional growth, and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry. Explore the possibilities with HCSG and take the first step toward a rewarding career at hcsg.com/careers
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