Rachelle Nkeze '27 (Business Management) Human Resources Intern

Rachelle Nkeze '27 (Business Management) was a Human Resources Intern at Kimley-Horn in Phoenix, AZ

Kimley-Horn paid for transportation to and from the office, but did not provide additional financial support for living expenses. 

What was the process for getting this internship, job, or summer experience?

The process for securing my Human Resources internship at Kimley-Horn involved several stages of interviews, and each stage gave me the opportunity to learn more about the company and the HR team.

I first had a phone interview with a recruiter, where we discussed my background, experiences, interests, and what I was looking for in an internship. From there, I had a Zoom interview with two members of the HR team I would potentially be working with.

The final stage was an in-person interview at Kimley-Horn’s Phoenix office. I met with six additional members of the HR team in a series of three interviews, with two team members in each interview. I also received a tour of the office, which allowed me to picture myself working in the environment.

Overall, the process taught me the importance of being prepared, confident, and adaptable throughout the interview process. Each interview was different, so I had to be able to communicate my experiences and interests in different ways.

Tell us about your internship.

During my summer internship as a Human Resources Intern at Kimley-Horn’s Phoenix office, I gained hands-on experience supporting a variety of HR functions. My responsibilities included assisting with new hire orientation, I-9 verification, scheduling 30-day check-ins, preparing offer packets, supporting office safety training, and creating materials for intern programming. I also had the opportunity to learn and use their specific internal systems and strengthen my Excel skills.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was being able to see how HR supports employees throughout their entire experience with an organization. I especially enjoyed working on projects that involved coordinating with different teams and creating resources that made processes more organized and efficient.

This experience taught me the importance of communication, organization, attention to detail, and being willing to take initiative. One challenge was learning how to balance multiple responsibilities and adjust to the pace and expectations of a professional work environment. 

Overall, the experience helped me better understand the HR field and gave me greater confidence in pursuing a career in Human Resources.

How did Eller prepare you for this internship and any advice for other students?

Eller played an important role in preparing me for this experience by giving me opportunities to develop my communication, teamwork, leadership, and professional skills both inside and outside the classroom. My involvement in Eller organizations and leadership opportunities like working at the front desk, Eller Ambassadors, Eller College Deans council, Being a BNAD 200 preceptor and more helped me become more comfortable collaborating with different people and taking initiative.

My advice to other students interested in an internship is to be open to learning, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to get involved. You do not have to know everything on your first day. Being curious and willing to learn can make a huge difference in your experience. I would also encourage students to build relationships with the people they work with because the connections and conversations you have throughout an internship can be just as valuable as the work itself.

One thing that surprised me was how much I learned from the everyday responsibilities of HR. Tasks that may seem small can have a significant impact on an employee’s experience and on how an organization operates. This internship gave me a better understanding of the importance of HR and helped me grow both professionally and personally.