How did you get your internship & what was your role?
I obtained this internship opportunity with Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (HSFCU) in the fall semester of my senior year, thanks in part to one of my advisors and mentors, Christine Denton—Executive Director for Compliance and Personnel Services at CUH. There was not only a mentorship in fostering my growth as a Business student and passion for higher education but also a personal connection in knowing my family from Kaneohe. I was connected with CUH alumni and Project Development Senior Department Manager, Ishmael “Ish” Eustaquio, who was looking to fill three internship positions for the Pupukahi Holomua Pathways Internship Program, a new partnership with HSFCU and CUH. My role as a Business Enterprise Intern included but was not limited to about a dozen department rotations of the branches throughout Oahu, employee training sessions, assigned mentorships, (brilliant) classes/lectures, orientations, and several projects/presentations.

What was the most surprising thing you learned while interning?
The most surprising concept that I learned during my internship, was that trusting your money and personal finances with a credit union tends to be much more beneficial to the individual. At HSFCU specifically, members are also owners of the credit union. Therefore, every individual is treated like family, granted many benefits, and given various rewards for not only themselves, but also their kin.

What did you like most about your internship?
What I enjoyed most about this internship was getting to connect with- and be mentored by an amazing team of professionals at HSFCU. We were encouraged to build relationships with the CEO, the CFO, the COO, and the V.P.’s/Board Members of each department. Everyone came to us with open arms and treated us like their coworkers. This is a very loving and family-oriented organization.

How has this experience helped you in your career path?
Interning at HSFCU helped me understand the importance of bringing the Aloha spirit to the workplace, no matter the environment or location. In my current role as a Community Operations Associate at SPACES, it is my job to ensure our clients feel as if they aren’t walking into a traditional office, but rather a place they can call home. The credit union taught me how easy and rewarding it is to make people feel comfortable in the workplace. Treating business clients and guests like family helps build a long-lasting, trusting relationship. Thanks to my internship experience, it has become second nature for me as an employee to remember these values while working with my clients.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
The most valuable theory I learned from interning is that always having a solid strategy is the true key to success in business. Whether I am faced with a challenge at work, or I have a ridiculous task to complete, mapping up a thorough strategy for myself never fails to guide me onto the path of success.

Bonus: Tips/advice for those considering internships?
My personal advice to those thinking of possibly applying for an internship is to ensure that you research the company before applying, try to get in contact with past interns and let them tell you about their own experience there, and make sure you are going to be compensated adequately for the amount of work you are expected to produce throughout the internship program.