When I found out I was going to be a #WUIntern, I was over the moon! I was excited about the position throughout the interview process, and when I got the call from my Recruiter, I was looking forward to an enriching and insightful experience.
I wouldn’t have had exposure to this opportunity had the program been based in-office at the Denver Headquarters (under normal circumstances). I live and attend college in New York, 1,798 miles away from the Denver HQ—making for an extensive commute! I was fortunate to join the Employer Brand team and grateful to Western Union for prioritizing employees’ health and safety while still offering a Fall program.
Most can relate to the challenges of working remotely nowadays. Internet issues, background noise, and the lack of face-to-face interaction that being virtual brings can be difficult to navigate and strenuous at times. However, I’ve experienced many positives of working remotely with this global team. Collaborating with and learning from individuals in various countries has provided me with new perspectives and backgrounds to help me grow professionally.
During my Employer Brand internship, I’ve worked on projects that increase brand awareness and attract top talent for Western Union. My work included: crafting social copies for content posted on our Employer Brand channels, creating a process document for future Interns, assisting with activities that engage potential talent, and writing an internal blog, informing female employees about Mogul—a women-only talent hub. Through this, I’ve been immersed in the company’s culture and learned how our practices and core values embody the WU Way. I will take two memorable experiences with me: 1) presenting to our Global Talent & Learning all-hands meeting, and 2) meeting our Lithuania Interns to share tips on balancing work, school, and a global pandemic.
As #WUInterns, we’ve had a different experience than previous sessions. Although school obligations, work schedules, and time zones worked against us, we adapted, working together on our Diversity & Inclusion group projects. In our favor, our specific skills, cultural backgrounds, and distinct perspectives have contributed to our success as a team and prepared us for work in multi-national organizations. Another positive, we took the Clifton StrengthsFinder® Assessment to identify key traits we possess and received coaching to put these into practice, personally and professionally.
I have two highlights from my #WUIntern experience. First, being globally-minded fosters innovation, creativity, and an enhanced level of respect. Western Union continues to drive diversity and inclusion, and being a part of an organization like this was uplifting. Second, our company loves their #WUInterns. During our session, I felt connected to the team through various collaboration tools. My teammates helped evaluate and prioritize my workload and took a genuine interest in how I felt and the support I needed to be successful.
In speaking with my fellow Interns, we feel everyone went above and beyond to make sure we felt welcomed and included. Our session was unique, and we have grown so much in our short time at Western Union. We appreciate our hiring managers, buddies, teammates, and Dominique Tucker, the HQ Internship Program Lead, for their efforts to make this such a fulfilling experience.
For the next group of Interns, I recommend taking advantage of the learning tools, information, and skills that our company provides. I encourage you to use these to advance your knowledge for your future career. Western Union welcomes asking questions when you’re confused, need clarification, or just curious, cultivating a trusted environment among employees, giving everyone a voice, regardless of position or level. Sharing ideas, asking thoughtful questions, learning from feedback, and most importantly, forming deep connections will help you make the most of your own unique experience.
If you’re interested in the Internship Program at Western Union or any other open opportunities, check out our Western Union Careers website for current openings around the globe.
