Read about Reyna’s LEI experience in this blog post.
Name:Reyna Blakeman (they/she)
Major:Global Studies and Romance Languages
Minor:Media Studies
Year:Junior
Internship:Employee Resource Center Intern, City of Eugene
What was your internship title and organization, and what were your responsibilities?
I was an intern at the Employee Resource Center at City of Eugene, which gave me valuable
experiences in Human Resources for local government. My internship primarily focused on
Classification and Compensation with occasional work in Recruitment. I was responsible for reviewing and correcting different job classifications based on a review metric that surrounds pay equity and work of comparable character. I also researched the classification specifications of different cities/counties and compared them to those of City of Eugene. Finally, I researched best recruitment practices for Information Technology and Public Works positions in the public sector.
What attracted you to the LEI program?
Being a first-generation student, internship and mentorship opportunities were not readily available to me. The fact that the LEI program is made to help underrepresented students gain exposure to both of these activities throughout their internship experience strongly resonated with me. Knowing that I would be surrounded by a cohort of other underrepresented students who may have similar experiences felt like it would be a safe and encouraging environment for professional growth. This felt like the perfect environment and opportunity for my first internship experience.
What did you like most about the program? What have you found to be most valuable?
I love how the LEI program combines the internship experience with weekly cohort meetings that involve all the interns participating in the program. LEI interns work with various organizations for their internship experience, and each intern’s different experiences throughout the program enriched our cohort meetings. Learning various career skills during the cohort meetings while having this close-knit community added even more value to the LEI internship experience
What did you like about working with your supervisor(s) and colleagues?
When I first arrived at the Employee Resource Center and met my supervisor and colleagues, I felt welcomed and supported by everyone. At first, I was nervous because I had never had an internship before and I was not sure what to expect, but I quickly settled into my role and began to connect with my coworkers. The supportive nature I experienced while working at City of Eugene has shown me what a healthy workplace culture looks like. Furthermore, City of Eugene implements Employee Resource Groups surrounding underrepresented workers, which allowed me to connect to other multicultural employees in a safe and supportive environment. My supervisor was extremely supportive throughout the process and helped me connect with others through informational interviews and answered any questions I had.
How has this internship set you up for success? What knowledge and skills did you learn that you can use in the future/other jobs?
This internship experience has catapulted me to success. I have always been interested in government work, and working with City of Eugene has given me valuable knowledge, and government experience will further my career. I have gained valuable experience with research, analysis, reclassification, pay equity, and work of comparable character. Having this experience, I now feel confident applying to different Classification and Compensation or Recruitment positions in the public sector knowing I have the skills and experience to succeed in these positions
What potential career paths has the internship opened your mind to? Has your internship influenced your future goals/direction and if so, how?
During my internship experience, I discovered a passion for Human Resources, specifically surrounding Classification and Compensation. I am hoping to continue centering my work around this field. The analysis and detail-oriented nature of reviewing classifications was a perfect fit for me, as I consider myself a very detail-oriented and organized individual. Additionally, working towards the goal of pay-equity is extremely fulfilling. I have always wanted my career to have an important purpose that helps others, and doing so through pay equity had never occurred to me until this internship experience.
What advice would you give to students interested in the LEI program? What should they know before applying?
Do not be afraid to apply if you do not have previous internship experience! This was my first internship, and I was unsure about whether my application would be considered due to my lack of experience. What we don’t realize is that we have so many different valuable experiences and skills obtained through participating in clubs, part-time jobs, volunteer work, relevant coursework, working to help out family, research papers, academic papers written for class and so much more! I would advise you to visit the University of Oregon Career Center before applying to incorporate all of these experiences on a resume with the guidance of a career counselor. I guarantee that you will be impressed with the amount of experience on your resume that you never realized you had!
Has participating in the LEI program impacted/impact your experience at UO? If so, how?
This program has been the highlight of my experience at UO. Not only have I gained valuable professional experience, but I have connected with the other interns in the cohort meetings and gained valuable friendships. Additionally, I learned more about the various resources that UO offers throughout the workshops, and now know what resources I can use on campus to help support my educational and professional journey. I am so grateful to have had such a supportive space for both professional and person growth, and am so happy I made the choice to apply to the LEI program.
