How an Internship Program Successfully Served as a Talent Pipeline for American Association of Laboratory Accreditations (A2LA)

From Intern to HR Supervisor: A story about Madeline Subasic

By Wesley Leatherman

Madeline Subasic was selected to intern at A2LA as a Junior during the summer of 2020. However, due to COVID-19 and the restructuring of the Human Resources (HR) team, A2LA was unsure if they could support the internship program. Additionally, the HR department was transferring HRIS software.

Madeline Subasic was selected to intern at A2LA as a Junior during the summer of 2020. However, due to COVID-19 and the restructuring of the Human Resources (HR) team, A2LA was unsure if they could support the internship program. Additionally, the HR department was transferring HRIS software.

The HR team was down to a department of one and the software transfer required additional support. Luckily, for Madeline, A2LA felt this was a great project for an intern to support.

She was included in much of the process and learned valuable skills. The experience also helped her feel confident in her career choice. She was torn between marketing and HR, and the internship solidified her decision. The internship also provided Madeline with the opportunity to make many meaningful connections.

Fast-forward to February 2021, when Madeline received a call from the HR Manager notifying her there was an opening for an HR Coordinator. She was over the moon, and coming back was an obvious choice, based on her previous experience. Madeline began in March 2021, while she was finishing her final semester at Hood College, and quickly reacclimated to A2LA's culture and processes. She loved collaborating with the HR manager and working on the program she was recently a part of.

Madeline was recently promoted to Human Resources Supervisor after just over two years as a coordinator. After completing her work with the 2023 group of interns, she is now in the process of filling her previous position.

For A2LA, the internship program will continue to act as a source of talent to support the stability and growth of the organization. It supports various teams and organizational tasks and projects. In addition, interns and staff are exposed to new perspectives and connections. This program is solidified in their culture as an impactful and valuable part of who they are. It's a win-win for everyone.

This program is reinforced in their culture as an impactful and valuable part of who they are. It's a win-win for everyone.