From Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, we all know someone with an incredible connection. Now, thanks to my amazing summer in media relations, that connection is stronger than ever. I ‘m sure going to miss this place…
Here are the Top Five Things I’ll Miss the Most:
1) The people
My time as a summer associate offered me the chance to meet so many fascinating people at UPMC. I could not have been part of a more welcoming team when I joined media relations. “We’re so happy you’re finally here!” was the most encouraging exclamation from every member of the team during my first day on the job. There is something special about working in an environment where everyone you work with truly wants you to succeed. My manager, mentor, and the rest of my team was always willing to do anything to help me achieve my highest potential.
2) The incredible stories
During my second week in media relations, my manager invited me to attend a transplant media event. Because of one altruistic kidney donor, three other people received a kidney as well as making an eight person kidney transplant chain at UPMC Montefiore. At the media event, everyone involved in the chain met for the first time. At one point in the event, members of the chain gathered around the donor who set off the transplant chain and asked him why he felt compelled to donate despite having no personal connection to any of the recipients or kidney donation in general. Being able to be a part of experiences such as these still gives me chills. I was lucky to hear these incredible stories day after day as part of the media relations team.
3) Those inside jokes
Working in the same room as 11 other marketing summer associates gave us a bond you can only really get if you were there. You haven’t really lived the UPMC dream until you’ve heard Mitchell Martin do an uncanny impression of the UPMC tagline, “At the heart of all we do is you. UPMC.” I am also going to miss my amazing fellow summer associates. The chance to work side by side with such a bright and hardworking bunch of peers inspired me to do better each day, and I know we will all keep in touch.
4) The amazing opportunities
UPMC campuses span not only Alleghany County, but also the globe. And although I wasn’t able to tour UPMC’s sites in Ireland and Italy, I gained access to some of the most impressive medical facilities in the nation. I toured UPMC East in Monroeville and Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville. I also toured the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, The Center for Connected Medicine, and the amazing Technology Development Center in Bakery Square. Healthcare is rapidly changing, and I witnessed this in action.
5) The inspiring advice
The best part of the Summer Associates Program is the opportunity to connect with mentors, managers and executives to discuss career goals. Throughout the summer I heard from 13 UPMC executives over the course of two Executive Spotlights, attended lunch with marketing executives who spoke to my fellow associates about our career paths, and offered valuable advice about our futures.
Bonus: That view
The US Steel Building is perhaps the most recognizable in Pittsburgh; but the best part of the building is looking out at the Steel City from the inside. Working a midst such beautiful Pittsburgh surroundings with a view from Oakland to North Shore for a company like UPMC, who is so invested in the people of its city, made me proud to be a “Pittsburgher.”
By Alexandra Salerno, Summer Associate
My Career@UPMC 