I joined HCSS as a Strategy Intern, hoping it would give me some of the “real-world” experience I need when I graduate. It has now become my favorite internship to date because of all the knowledge I have amassed in the span of a few months. Along with that, HCSS has a culture that is unmatched by most other companies, which creates a great environment in which to work. Fellow employees will go out of their way to help someone, and that’s why I’m proud of my company.
I am part of a team working to push a newly-developed product to market. That entails analyzing the market, gathering feedback on the product, assisting in marketing, finding and fixing bugs, conducting market research, managing projects, and other responsibilities. You can see that HCSS doesn’t spoon-feed us and make interns fetch coffee for managers. HCSS gives its interns everything we need to succeed and will help us to do so.
My favorite part of working here is the culture. HCSS works to be more than just a software company. Among other things, it strives to be a valuable part of the community. Another thing I like about HCSS is that it sticks by its values, which are not just words on a wall. What makes this company different from others that I have worked with is that it sets an example. The values and mission statement have meaning here and are not taken lightly. It can be seen in the way people interact and work. For me, HCSS has shown how a company sets an example for people and what others can learn from that.
The best skill I have learned is leadership. When I am in control of my projects, I am responsible for my actions. It has helped me become more decisive and better at delegating tasks. Other skills I have improved upon are teamwork, communication, organizing, and self-management. Since I am also a student at the University of Houston, I can apply my learned skills to my classes and the organizations that I am a part of.
Overall, HCSS has helped me develop as best I can be, and it’s something I can’t thank the company for enough. The key to success is something anyone can create here because HCSS will give you the means to do so. It’s great to work with a team that teaches me something new every day, and I look forward to seeing what we all can accomplish together.