COOL FOR THE SUMMER: Interning Enables You to Help Others

By Ryan Clark

CHS Communications Director

Normally, students pursue internships because of the benefits. For instance, internships provide experience, give a better sense of what a job and its environment can be like, and enable participants to network and make contacts.

But sometimes an internship can do all those things while also helping others.

Sarah Graves has found that exact situation.  

Graves, a 21-year-old Clinical Leadership and Management major from Louisville, is interning with UK’s Office of Wellness and Well-Being at the College of Medicine.

 “I got it because (Dr. Sarah Kercsmar, PhD, MHA) reached out and told me about it and I immediately knew I wanted to apply,” Sarah said. “I then went through an interview process.”

And she nailed it. That enabled her to spend the summer trying to implement “group coaching” in the office.

“We are working to find ways to decrease burnout in providers,” she said. “We are working to find ways to improve the environment for providers. Coaching is a way of coaching providers through tough situations. I am working to get group coaching implemented at the College of Medicine so more providers can benefit for it.”

In other words, she’s helping others.

Students say interning in CLM is just another way that getting your degree in the College of Health Sciences sets you apart. And it gives further proof why those who intern go on to have further success in the future.

“I love it. I love the people I work and the work I am doing,” she said. “It gives you real-world experience and helps you understand more what you want to do in your career.

“It also allows you to help people.”

Each week we'll feature another student who is participating in a summer internship.