How an ITS UX Internship Shaped a Career
“I wouldn’t change anything because I felt like I learned a lot and was able to make the most of the internship.”
Janel Ilar
For many university students, internships bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. For Janel Ilar (pictured right), a summer 2019 internship with Information and Technology Services (ITS) at the University of Michigan proved pivotal, profoundly influencing her career goals as a user experience (UX) designer.
As one of two UX designers within the Digital User Experience (DUX) team, a part of ITS Administration and Operations, Janel gained hands-on experience that solidified her career aspirations. The internship helped solidify what she wanted to do, and schoolwork was applicable to the real world. This realization built confidence in her burgeoning technical and professional skills.
Collaboration was a cornerstone of Janel’s experience. Working closely with Business Systems Analysts (BSAs) and developers, she gained a deeper understanding of diverse expertise and the power of collective effort. The internship offered a healthy balance of independent and group work, fostering autonomy while ensuring she felt adequately supported.
“It was a good balance between independent work and group work,” she noted.
Mentorship was integral to the internship experience. Janel’s coach, Lindsey, was crucial in helping Janel understand practical UX applications, allowing her to directly apply new skills to real-world projects. Her mentor, Cathy Handyside, also provided supportive guidance.
The “transfer credit tool” was particularly meaningful as one of the primary projects during Janel’s internship. Working collaboratively with another intern and a professional, she appreciated seeing her UX methods implemented for real-world use. Janel also contributed to the redesign of “News@ITS” for internal employees. The internship provided extensive practice with platforms like Adobe XD, enhancing her proficiency in tools she already knew from classwork.
Beyond project work, the ITS internship program’s professional development activities proved highly valuable. Retreats, workshops, and guest speakers offered Janel insights into various career paths, especially for those new to a professional environment. These experiences helped her develop interpersonal skills like communication, teamwork, and time management.
Janel said she felt the ITS environment was supportive and inclusive. She felt empowered to reach out to team members and other ITS professionals, finding everyone approachable and willing to offer advice. The culture balanced structure with flexibility.
The internship’s impact extended beyond the summer. Janel remained with the DUX team as a student temp for the 2019-2020 academic year, later joining the team as a full-time staff member. She credits working on diverse projects and collaborating effectively with others as her most significant experience.
Reflecting on her favorite part, Janel pointed to the blend of engaging projects and mentorship. A standout memory remains the continuous opportunity for learning and growth.
Asked if she would change anything, her response was unequivocal: “I wouldn’t change anything because I felt like I learned a lot and was able to make the most of the internship.”
For aspiring interns, Janel’s advice is clear: “Make the most of it – it’s an opportunity to learn about other roles and practice what you’ve learned in school.”
