“I took away valuable real-world work experience. I’m so grateful I got an opportunity to apply everything I’ve been learning in class to hands-on work. Now I’m more confident.”
Zainab Al-Mosawi, ’27, knew an internship would be an important step toward a career in human resources. But as the first member of her immediate family to attend college, Zainab was stepping into unfamiliar territory.
She turned to BSU’s Career Services and Internships Office, where staff helped her strengthen her resume, clarify her goals and develop a strategy to secure the ideal internship.
“That connection was really important to get my foot in the door,” Zainab said of working with Katie Vagen, director of career development. “It was really important to have someone to guide me and give me tips on what I could do to stand out.”
Zainab sought an internship that fit around her part-time retail job. Vagen suggested virtual positions, which are increasingly popular for busy BSU students juggling academics, work and life obligations.
Zainab secured a summer internship at Hyperflex, a specialized IT consulting company with teams in the U.S. and India. She initially shadowed Hyperflex’s HR staff during candidate screening and interviewing. Zainab quickly earned her supervisor’s trust and admiration and took on greater responsibilities. Before the end of the program, she conducted interviews on her own.
“I took away valuable real-world work experience,” said Zainab, a management major (human resources management concentration) from Braintree. “I’m so grateful I got an opportunity to apply everything I’ve been learning in class to hands-on work. Now I’m more confident.”
Zainab said BSU coursework on contracts and hiring proved especially useful at Hyperflex. In one course, students even conducted mock interviews with each other.
Vagen praised Zainab’s commitment to enhancing her resume and skills.
“Her internship with Hyperflex gave her hands-on experience even within a remote setting, which is so commonplace in today’s workforce,” Vagen said. “Now, she’s walking away with a great understanding of the HR recruiting process that she can spotlight in interviews for jobs after graduation.”
For Zainab, the support she got from Career Services is just one example of the culture that makes BSU special.
“I love how we’re one big family,” she said. “I love the community at Bridgewater and feel like I’m part of that community.”
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