Strategic Growth and Government Programs Intern (Summer 2024) (Hybrid)

Resp & Qualifications

CareFirst Strategic Growth and Government Programs division is accepting internship applicaitons for our Summer 2024 program, spanning the company's venture capital, management consulting, product development and strategic marketing functions.

Through this internship program you will join a small team of driven, optimistic individuals seeking to improve healthcare - for our members and the world at large. Combining diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, life experiences, and skillsets we seek to be a proactive agent of meaningful change. We are not just reimagining healthcare for the future, we are actively transforming the way it is delivered, supported, and experienced today.

We are looking for like-minded individuals who both share our mission of improving healthcare and remain humbled (if undaunted) by scale of the challenge. Whether your passion lies in distilling insights from data, crafting inspiring information campaigns, organizing disparate stakeholders to action, charting the course of large organizations, or understanding the risks and opportunities behind new ideas -- we would love to hear from you.

About the Company:

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest private sector health insurer, serving the healthcare needs of 3.5 million members in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and portions of northern Virginia. The Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to individuals and groups, as well as state and federal government sponsored plans. As a not-for-profit health plan and the largest healthcare company in the region, CareFirst is committed to delivering quality, accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare in all the communities we serve.

CareFirst’s Strategic Growth and Government Programs division incorporates, among others:

• Strategy & Corporate Development, which is responsible for business consulting, strategic planning, inorganic growth, and analytics
• Healthworx, responsible for the investment and innovation efforts of CareFirst across our affiliated venture studio, startup accelerator, and venture capital programs
• Marketing & Product, which work together to develop, design, improve, and strategically market the company’s products and services

Job Description:

This internship is designed to be an 11-week full-time opportunity beginning May 2024 and concluding August  2024. The program is ideal for rising senior undergraduates seeking experience and exposure to diverse careers in healthcare. Interns will join one of the areas of Strategic Growth and Government Programs to support the team in their core mission. Sample work includes:

• Researching specific areas of interest in healthcare to form a thesis around the most pressing challenges, potential solutions, market and competitive dynamics, structural trends, etc.
• Building relationships with healthcare companies, investors, and service providers to identify investment opportunities for CareFirst
• Supporting the due diligence and execution of new investments and partnerships
• Improving strategic planning and reporting processes, including governance dashboards and data to drive and calibrate performance
• Strengthening CareFirst's product portfolio through identification of emerging trends, member journey analysis, pilot development & deployment, and insight synthesis & communication
• Enhancing CareFirst and Healthworx’s brand presence across members, providers, community partners, and internal stakeholders

In addition to the day-to-day work supporting their respective tracks, interns will benefit from a special curriculum which includes opportunities to meet CareFirst executives, interactions with promising healthcare start-ups, market- and policy-focused workshops, and networking/community building events.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education Level: 

Undergraduate Track: Rising Senior with a minimum 3.5 GPA, pursuing a degree Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, or other business-related degree at an accredited college or university during internship.

Required Abilities/Skills: 

• Independent thinker and self-starter who can also work as part of a team
• Project management experience or education preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to positively interface with and establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic and creative decision maker who can motivate self without constant supervision
• Attention to detail and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including assisting with presentations and proposals.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities.
• Demonstrated skills with various computer applications/software, particularly those related to database management and the development of presentations.