Unpaid Internship Grant

Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus, one Carlson student who is pursuing an unpaid internship is awarded  a $6,500 grant for their internship.

Questions about this opportunity can be directed to Mai Xiong at xiong968@umn.edu.

Looking for internship opportunities? Schedule with a coach!

What did receiving this grant mean to you?

Receiving the Unpaid Internship Grant gave me a lot more than just financial relief, it gave me an opportunity to grow into my field in a setting that aligns with my values and pushes me out of my comfort zone. Before this internship, I felt unconfident in a corporate environment, especially since I did not have much experience in data analytics and IT. Leaving the internship, I had a new found excitement for using technology to better patient outcomes. This internship gave me the opportunity to have a real effect on my community and it ignited a passion in me to keep being a contributor to creating a better and healthier population. Without the unpaid internship grant, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore my interest in technology and healthcare that led to this excitement and passion that pushes me to keep facing challenges and making improvements every day to be better. 

Why did you choose this internship?

A unique advantage to this internship was that I was one of two interns in this program, giving me the opportunity to have a more individualized mentorship and immersive learning experience. My position as Data Analytics/Business Intelligence Intern at LMH Health demonstrated how business can be a force for good by using data to improve the quality of care provided to patients, as well as improving operational efficiency. My work directly supported the hospital's mission of being a partner for lifelong health. In addition, one thing I will never forget when I was meeting with my mentor for the internship was her passion for healthcare equity. She inspired me to use my interest in technology to help make a change for the better in the healthcare field.  

What was the highlight of your internship?

The highlight of my internship was helping with the initiative of improving patient flow and reducing delays within our emergency department. Through this experience, I directly supported hospital leadership in making data-driven decisions by building and presenting interactive dashboards. These dashboards allowed physicians and administrators to quickly visualize trends, track performance, and identify areas for improvement. What made this project so meaningful to me was knowing that these efforts made a direct impact on my community, improving patient experience and outcomes. It was rewarding to know that the tools I built didn’t just display data, but actively supported emergency department efficiency and patient care. This experience reinforced my passion for using analytics to make a meaningful change in healthcare and gave me confidence in my ability to deliver solutions that matter. 

How has your Carlson School experience prepared you for this internship?

My coursework at the Carlson School gave me the technical and analytical foundation to flourish within my internship experience. Classes such as data-driven business decisions and Introduction to Excel taught me how to use data visualization to support company initiatives, skills I applied when building dashboards and monitoring hospital operations. 

Beyond technical skills, Carlson’s emphasis on teamwork, communication, and problem-solving helped me collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams at the hospital. Carlson classes like Leading Self and Teams, as well as Impact Lab, gave me the ability to apply the things I learned in a real-world setting and see the impact these skills have on an organization. Overall, Carlson gave me the confidence to enter the corporate world and demonstrate all the skills and experiences I gained from my coursework. 

What drives your interest/passion in your area of study?

My passion for MIS and healthcare grew from experiencing how data can tell a story and shape decisions, impacting patient care and their outcomes. I have always been inspired by how technology can transform the way we live, and in healthcare its impact is even more important. Between optimizing hospital operations, improving patient flow, and providing leaders with real-time insights, technology has completely transformed the patient experience. Knowing that my area of study and my future career allows me to contribute to this kind of transformation is both exciting and extremely motivating. 

Healthcare is so meaningful to me because it blends human compassion with innovation. The idea that the technical skills I am developing in MIS, Business Analytics, and Business of Healthcare will directly affect the future of healthcare is something that is rewarding to me everyday. Ultimately, my passion comes from wanting to be a part of something bigger than myself. The healthcare field is constantly evolving and technology is at the center of the evolution. I am excited to build a career where I can keep learning, innovating, and use my skills to help drive change that makes healthcare more effective and accessible.