Fast Facts About Maria:
- Studying: Business Administration
- School: University of Mary Washington
- Career Interests: Human Resources & Recruiting
- Favorite Part of the Internship: Seeing the job placement process from start to finish
- Hobbies: Reading, family time, fur babies, and true crime documentaries
Following Her Interests
As a business administration student at the University of Mary Washington, Maria is building on a foundation of professional experience while exploring a future career in human resources.
Before joining Matern Staffing as an intern, Maria spent nearly 10 years at a pediatric office. In that role she advanced from receptionist to Assistant Manager and eventually Office Manager. Along the way, she discovered a passion for human resources through interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
“One of the most rewarding parts of the job was helping staff grow and develop, and seeing the positive impact I had on the team’s success.” – Maria O., Matern Staffing Intern
Looking to gain hands-on experience in recruiting and staffing, Maria joined Matern Staffing to learn more about the industry and further develop the skills she’ll carry into her future career.
Learning the Recruiting Process
Early in her internship, Maria has gained hands-on exposure to the recruitment process, candidate communication, and day-to-day office operations. From making outreach calls and conducting interviews to supporting employees through onboarding, she’s learning what it takes to help candidates navigate the hiring process. She’s also gaining a broader perspective through communications with employers, giving her a better understanding of how staffing professionals support both clients and job seekers. Throughout the experience, she continues to strengthen her customer service and communication skills.
Building Skills for the Future
One area Maria is especially focused on developing is her communication skills. She also hopes to deepen her understanding of human resources and staffing operations as she continues to build a foundation for a potential future career.
Maria’s adaptability and reliability have helped her make the most of the experience thus far. As a full-time student balancing coursework and an internship, she’s learned the importance of effective time management and embracing new challenges as opportunities to grow.
The Most Rewarding Part
Although she’s just getting started, one of Maria’s favorite aspects of the internship has been seeing the job placement process from beginning to end. From initial candidate conversations and interview scheduling to helping connect job seekers with opportunities that match their goals, she enjoys knowing her work contributes to a meaningful outcome.
Just as impactful has been the support of the Matern team.
“Everyone has been supportive, welcoming, and passionate about what they do, which has made this a great environment to learn and grow.” – Maria, 2026 Matern Staffing Intern
Looking Ahead
Outside of work and school, Maria enjoys reading, spending time with her family and fur babies, and watching true crime documentaries.
As she continues her studies and internship experience, Maria is building valuable skills while confirming her interest in human resources. We’re excited to be part of her professional journey and look forward to seeing all she accomplishes this summer and beyond.
We’ll be sharing highlights from Maria’s internship throughout the summer, so follow along on social media and subscribe to our blog to keep up with her progress.