I found my internship through a classmate of mine who was interning at Gentex at the

time. I then found out Professor Spitz was the head of the Human Resource Department at

Gentex. I was looking to gain experience and learn first-hand about Human Resources in a real

work environment. I was hoping to just observe someone and see how they react to different

situations. I am very big on learning through watching and absorbing what is put in front of me.

Brushing up on my Human Resources basics and making sure I felt comfortable being in

a Human Resource environment was something I did before my first day. I looked at my notes

from all the classes I took so I could make sure I know the protocol on how to take care of

certain situations. I expected to be doing minuscule activities like filing and organizing.

Orientation with the other new employees that work on the production floor was interesting

because I had never been to a formal orientation before. I learned about safety on the plant, the

different plants within the parent company around the world and took a tour of the plant. My first

day I shadowed my boss and went to meetings with her. My next couple of days working on

creating winners’ banners for a competition. This consisted of hot-gluing laminated pages to

ribbons.

If I learned nothing else throughout the internship, it was how to be a team player and an

effective leader. Overtime, my relationship with my boss and co-workers became less serious

and more informal. My supervisor is extremely busy, so I tend to see my other coworkers more

than my supervisor. However, when I do see her, she always is willing to teach me and takes up

any learning oppurtunity. I have one coworker that is continuing her education and going into

Employment Law. This has been something I have been interested in and have considered going

into after getting my bachelor's degree. She has worked with me and advised me on what she

would recommend for a person going into Employment Law and the path she wishes she took.
 The best part of my experience interning was being more comfortable making decisions

and operating in a real-life Human Resources environment. Overall, it was awesome to be a part

of a team where everyone is willing to teach and allow you to flourish. The team and the

environment were the best part of the experience. The most important advice I could give anyone

considering taking an internship is to be confident in yourself and in your actions. The key

difference I have noticed between good interviews and ok interviews have been my confidence.

The more I prepare and am ready for the interviews, the better I feel the interviews go.

One of the Nichols College Learning Outcomes that applied to my internship experience is

Communication. It is defined by Nichols College as “Effectively express and accurately comprehend concepts

and facts using a range of appropriate and current communication methods.” There are many different forms

at communication and in Human Resources, as I learned quickly, you must be pretty decent at all kinds.

Interviewing was probably where I improved and implemented the most communication. Along with asking

questions, I had to listen to what candidates were saying and not saying out right. I had to see the facts I was

given and make the decision on how to effectively communicate with candidates. The most challenging

experience I had was when a candidate became visibly upset that they did not successful pass their eye screen.

Knowing what to say and how to say it was very important in that instance.

Another aspect of the College Outcomes that applies to my experience interning is Ethics & Personal

Accountability which is defined as “Recognize and assess questions of right and wrong and demonstrate a

willingness to act responsibly in personal and professional life.” Being in Human Resources, there are so many

situations where confidentiality is one of if not the most import aspects of the situation. I always had to make

sure certain paperwork was locked up and certain cabinets were not opened. Confidentiality and knowing what

information stays private was an important aspect of my internship.

Civic & Social Engagement was the third aspect of the outcomes that was pertinent throughout my

internship. “Articulate an understanding and appreciation of cultural and human differences, acknowledging

the interconnectedness of a global society and one’s social and civic responsibility to the community, the

nation and the world” is what it is explained as by Nichols College. One of my favorite takeaways from
working at Gentex was the wide variety of cultures I experienced. I met and interacted with people from many

different cultures. Everyone was willing to communicate and interact with people in their own culturally

unique way.

Gentex really focuses on Leadership & Teamwork, the final Learning Outcome. The way their teams

work is truly amazing. They fully fit the definition provided by Nichols which is “Work effectively and

collaboratively in a group, assume leadership when appropriate, and support leadership in others.” Most

leaders I interacted with were more guiders than leaders. In an interview with my supervisor, she fully

encompassed my understanding of leadership at Gentex by saying that she does not like to micromanage

people but instead by there to guide them and ask more questions than she gives answers so the employees can

grow and problem solve. In the Human Resource Department alone, there were nine team members including

myself. I saw how everyone’s jobs and personalities meshed and melded together.

Overall, my experience at Gentex confirmed my career goals of Human Resources. Getting first hand

advice and getting direct feedback was invaluable. I cannot stress how important this internship was for my

future. I became more comfortable in a Human Resources environment. Going into the office and genuinely

being excited to work was something I had never experienced and look forward to having again in the future.