Happy Virginia Intern Day! Welcome to a day in my life as an intern at Matern! My name is Melanie Silva, a high school graduate with two years of ministry school experience. I started my internship at Matern in August 2023, and it has been immensely rewarding. Working part-time at Matern allows me to pursue my passion at the ministry school I attended while also growing professionally. This internship provides professional and personal growth in interpersonal communications and human resources. 

Kickstarting the Week: Monday Team Meetings and Daily Priorities 

On Mondays, our team gathers to plan the week. We start with a motivational video to boost our spirits. Then, we assign responsibilities for monitoring job postings online job boards and review the internal staff schedule. We discuss my intern projects and cover any new information the team needs to know. 

After the Monday morning meeting, I focus on my daily priorities. I call eligible candidates and schedule interviews. Throughout the day, I monitor new applications and reach out accordingly. 

When calling candidates, I verify they meet job requirements and check our system for any past interactions. If they have worked with us before, I send a reactivation link for them to update their profile and then schedule an interview. 

As an intern, I also conduct interviews to support the coordinators, averaging four interviews a day. The interview process involves gathering detailed information about candidates’ work history, including job dates, specialized skills, reasons for leaving, and any relocations. I thoroughly take notes during interviews and update our records.  

Intern Tasks: Keeping Systems Updated and Capturing Moments 

From 12pm to 2pm, I use this time to take a 30-minute lunch break and catch up on documentation, reporting, and special projects. I’m lucky to work with the sweetest coworkers; one loves to treat us with delicious baked goods every Tuesday! 

One of my intern projects involves double-checking that our hours edit reports align with our working candidates. This keeps our system up-to-date and clean for everyone’s use. I work on this project weekly after receiving the hours edit report. 

Another project I handle is capturing social media content. I meet with our Web and Social Media Coordinator, to discuss her planned content. Then, I capture and write the needed posts. This includes office decorations for holidays and Matern staff showing off the decor, daily office activities, and even some warm, friendly interactions among coworkers and job seekers. 

Wrapping Up the Day: Tracking Progress and Team Meetings 

I end my day by wrapping up my projects. I track my daily tasks on an Excel sheet, which I share with our Director of Staffing and Recruitment to stay on track and focused. Every day, we conclude with a 4 pm meeting to discuss the day’s progress, updates, and any issues that need resolution. Sometimes, our lovely boss surprises us with exciting team-building exercises and games during the meeting. 

Conclusion: A Rewarding Internship Experience at Matern 

Thank you for joining me for a day in the life as an intern at Matern. Working with this amazing staff is a privilege. Not only is there meaningful work to be done and valuable lessons to learn, but I also genuinely enjoy collaborating with these wonderful colleagues—especially when they offer me snacks, whether healthy or indulgent! My problem solving, communication and software skills have improved greatly during my internship. If you’re seeking an internship experience like mine, check back regularly for open opportunities! 

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