Picking the right place to start a career can make a big impact, setting future professionals up for success and helping them grow, learn and excel. During UWM’s 12-week summer internship program, Summer Team Members (STMs) gain valuable hands-on experience and set the foundation for a successful career. Whether you’re a college student or recent graduate, there are incredible opportunities as an STM!
Not Your Typical Office Environment
One of the first things STMs notice when they arrive for their first day is the unique environment on campus.
“You see in the movies how an office space works; cubicles and everyone has their head down, drinking coffee, grinding away at work,” said Lucas V., an STM from Western Michigan University working on the Underwriting Training team. “I thought that’s how it was going to be at UWM because I had never worked in an office before — but it was totally different.”
From a full-sized basketball court and in-house Starbucks to an on-site chiropractor and hair salon, UWM’s campus resembles a vibrant community space rather than a traditional office setting. The resources and layout of the campus aren’t a coincidence — they’re by design, encouraging collaboration and fostering better relationships between team members.
More Than Busy Work
This isn’t a ‘fetch me a coffee’ internship, where interns are tucked into a corner and given busy work to keep them occupied. As soon as STMs walk through the doors, they are encouraged to share their ideas, voice their opinions and take on projects that can have a lasting impact on the company and teach them important skills.
“For one of my summer internship projects, I was looking into data from our underwriting training classes to identify common themes that might lead to more successful underwriters,” said Lucas. “I presented my findings to executive leaders including Agnes S., the SVP of Underwriting. I was nervous, but it was a great experience and, afterward, Agnes told me how they plan to use my insights, which made me feel really good about the work I did this summer.”
“The hands-on experience has been great,” said Sierra MK., a senior from Columbia University working on the Finance Team. “I love problem solving, and they definitely allow me to work through things on my own. That’s really rewarding. At the same time, I’ve got the support around me to ask questions and get help if I’m stuck on something.”
Striking a balance between autonomy and guidance is a key aspect of UWM’s STM program. It allows summer team members to develop critical thinking skills while providing enough room to make mistakes, learn from them and grow.
Walking Out Better Than You Walked In
Another key theme for UWM’s internship program is the immense learning opportunities and potential for serious professional growth. This isn’t a one-way relationship; UWM’s goal is to help Summer Team Members improve during their summer internship just as much as STMs contribute to the company’s betterment.
“Everyone I come in contact with here has been nothing but helpful,” said Morgan K., a Sales STM and student from Michigan State University. “What stands out is that the trainers care most about me being successful than anything else.”
“The initial training provided a great base level understanding of the industry,” said Josh B., a student from the University of Arizona also working in Sales. “The biggest thing for me has been the access to leadership. My leader includes me on every email she sends so I can see how she handles certain situations. Being a fly on the wall for important conversations is super valuable.”
From STMs To Full-Timers
Leading with a continuous-improvement mindset, UWM constantly seeks ways to maximize the potential of internship opportunities in every aspect. Whether it’s pursuing a greater role on their current team or finding a new role elsewhere in the company, UWM aims to uplift team members and put them in the best position to succeed.
“I have never heard of a company that says, ‘It’s OK if you don’t have experience. Don’t worry. We’re going to teach you,’ and actually stood behind that,” said Leah M., Team Leader in Application Development.
Leah transitioned to a full-time IT role after earning her Public Relations degree from Western Michigan University and working as an STM with the IT team. Leah’s story, while unique, reflects UWM's common practice of fostering talent and providing training resources across all teams.
Paige S., AVP in Post Closing, is another former STM who leveraged development opportunities. After securing a full-time position on the Engagement team after her internship and thriving in her position, she entered the UWM Rotational Program, a 12-month program that allows team members to experience and learn from various teams and find their best fit in the organization.
Paige eventually found her home on our Operations team as a team leader and soon transitioned to her current role as an AVP. Her advice to potential STMs looking to follow in her footsteps? “The two most important things here are work ethic and positive attitude,” she said. “When I was working as an STM, they let me try everything and own a lot of projects. It was intimidating at first, but it also gave me confidence and helped me develop my skills. Taking on challenges like that is really going to speak volumes to what you might be able to accomplish as a full-time team member.”
If experiencing a state-of-the-art campus, owning meaningful projects and becoming the best version of yourself sounds exciting, apply for UWM’s summer internship program!