Redshirt junior Rachel McNair has taken her talents off the court this summer with an internship with AmeriHealth DC. According to the company website, AmeriHealth DC is a health insurance company that specializes in helping those who are underserved and underprivileged.
How did you get started with AmeriHealth DC? While I was searching for communication internships online, I came across the internship application at AmeriHealth Caritas. Immediately it caught my attention because the job description included everything I was capable of doing. I was a little hesitant to apply because it was outside of what I knew because it is a health insurance company. After exploring their website thoroughly and reading their mission I knew I wanted to be a part of their internship program. AmeriHealth DC serves the low income communities in the District of Columbia; therefore they look to help those most in need. I love helping others whether that means buying a homeless man food or coming up with creative ideas to help members lead a healthy life. AmeriHealth DC's mission is to help people get health care, stay well, and build healthy communities. All the work I do, whether it is working on research projects or working community events, it is all done to benefit our members. This internship has been something new to me because I wasn't familiar with the health care industry so I've learned a lot when it comes to health plans and all the benefits that come with being a member. After 6 weeks, I can say that I am glad that I am at AmeriHealth DC.
What is your role? I am working as an intern in the marketing, communications, and community outreach departments. My work consists of research projects, editing articles & press releases, reconstructing the company website, editing company presentations, organizing materials for company events, outreach calls, and working community events. Also as an intern we have enrichment exercises to help enhance our professional identity; including updating out resumes, managing out LinkedIn accounts and creating a job description for future interns to give them an idea of what to expect while interning at AmeriHealth DC.
What is the best part about working in a city like DC? The best part about working in DC is that my internship is in the heart of the city. I am next to great restaurants that I get the chance to go to on my lunch breaks. Also, I am close to the White House so before my internship is over I am definitely going to try to get a tour. I love being in an active area because there's always something to look forward to.
You have to work some weekend events, are there any that you have worked that stand out to you? The two events I worked at were both great! In our Community Hope event, I was working in the “Kids Zone” at the obstacle course. As an aunt of eight—four nieces and four nephews-- I am very good with kids so I had a lot of fun. I also helped work the popcorn machine during the event. The purpose of this event was to get our members to participate in various health screenings by providing free food, entertainment, and activities for kids. The other event that I worked was for the Latina Ministry Festival in which I had to create vegetable produce bags for members and work the snow cone machine. Overall, I learned that giving back to the community is great and worth the smile you put on people's faces. I love helping others and making people happy so working these events helped me carry out those duties.
What are your professional goals and how do you feel Mason has helped you in your professional goals? Being at Mason has helped me meet a lot of important people that I wouldn't have met if I went to a different school. The people I have met in the past two years have had a huge influence on my professional goals of going to graduate school, working for a professional team as a sports analyst, sports producer, or in the marketing department. I am interested in working in health care as well in the marketing department.
How do you feel your internship is helping to prepare you for these goals? My internship is helping me to prepare for my career goals because I have been doing a lot of networking throughout our company. I have received a lot of advice about graduate school and what it takes to be successful. I am truly blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work at AmeriHealth DC because I have met so many great people. I love it!
