Ariana Frinks: Completing an internship: 5 points

During my internship at Georgia Long Term Care & Consulting in Atlanta, I worked with healthcare providers and administrative staff to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical documentation sent to long-term care facilities. The main focus was on ensuring continuity of care and streamlining communication between providers and facilities.

I found the experience both challenging and rewarding. This was my first "9 to 5" job, so in several aspects, this experience was new for me. As a political science major, I didn't anticipate completing an internship in healthcare, but I also didn't shy away from the opportunity to learn. Managing sensitive medical information taught me the importance of precision and accountability in healthcare operations. Learning to navigate medical terminology and tight deadlines pushed me to become more adaptable and organized. It was interesting to see how even small administrative errors could directly affect patient outcomes, which gave me a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps healthcare systems functioning smoothly. Moreover, interacting with the administrative and operations side of medicine was very full circle for me, as I began my collegiate journey at the intersection of law and medicine. 

This experience is closely connected to concepts from my coursework in data analysis and research methods, particularly in areas like process improvement and data accuracy. I witnessed firsthand how structured systems and clear communication can significantly impact efficiency in professional environments.

The key lesson I took away was that healthcare is not only about medicine, it’s also about coordination, communication, and trust. The internship strengthened my professionalism and time management skills, showing me that I thrive in structured, fast-paced environments where precision is crucial. I also realized that the skills I further developed, attention to detail, organization, and effective communication, are applicable across many fields beyond healthcare.

Overall, my time at Georgia Long Term Care & Consulting expanded my understanding of how systems support people. It exposed me to a field not directly connected to political science, yet re outside of  It strengthened my interest in service-oriented fields and inspired me to pursue future opportunities that merge strategy, communication, and care.

 Ariana Frinks