Palmetto GBA is fortunate to hire a great group of interns each year. Some are so great, in fact, we don’t want to see them leave.

Parker Roof began his internship at the company this summer working with the Palmetto GBA Provider Outreach and Education team. His primary project during his internship was helping to develop the “New to Medicare” website, which included creating guides to help providers navigate the new site.

His contribution to this project was invaluable, according to Provider Outreach and Education Manager Belinda Marin. And though Roof’s internship ended, his work on the project did not as he was hired on as a part-time employee.

“His insight was one of the reasons we wanted him on our team,” Marin said. “We’re in the work all day, every day. Someone like Parker coming in from outside the world of Medicare brings a new perspective. He's got so many new ideas and a different outlook on things we're doing.”

In addition to working part-time at Palmetto GBA, Roof is pursuing his degree in advertising from the University of South Carolina. He began his junior year this fall and has had to strike a balance between his school and work assignments.

“That’s one aspect where I think virtual learning has made it easier for me to work part-time,” Roof said, who is taking self-paced virtual classes this semester. “Every Sunday, I put my tasks into a virtual calendar so I don’t forget anything and can track my due dates.”

Marin says communication is the key to ensuring Roof can keep up with his class and work assignments.

“The whole team is on it when it comes to communicating with each other to ensure we have coverage,” she said. “Parker is a great communicator and immediately lets us know if something in his school schedule changes.”

Roof also has started applying the knowledge he gains in the classroom to his work life.

“I started a public communication class, and I’m using the lessons I learn there at work,” he said. “Especially now with most of our public communication taking place in a virtual setting.”

Roof’s internship gave him a sneak peek at what permanent employment would look like at Palmetto GBA, which allowed him to make the decision to kickstart his career while still pursuing his degree.

“Palmetto GBA offers the same opportunities to interns as they do to permanent employees,” Marin said. “We want them to stay. If we offer that time and training through the internship, they'll want to return when they graduate.”

Paige Warren-Long, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Talent Acquisition Partner, says she hopes more internships result in permanent employment with the company.

“That’s what we strive for,” she said. “Our interns come in and see how things work and get hands-on experience. They’ve got prior knowledge of the company, and they’ve already established relationships and a rapport with their team.”

Roof’s success in the classroom is just as important as his success at Palmetto GBA, Marin said. “We want Parker to succeed.”

“It's not just a job, it's a career,” she said. “Palmetto GBA is a place where you can succeed.”