Meet Jennifer Standish

Student spotlight

Bridging the classroom and real-world learning was something Jennifer Standish, a graduate student in healthcare analytics and operations, discovered during her internship at McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa. This was a transformative experience that highlighted how hands-on learning during an internship could enhance academic understanding and professional growth.

At McFarland Clinic, Standish worked as an administrative intern. Her responsibilities included working on projects across different departments and connecting with professionals within the clinic.

“It’s been a great opportunity to experience things hands-on, in real life. I worked with a lot of people in the company to assist with a variety of projects. I also got exposure to many different meetings to further understand how goals and aspirations were achieved at each step of a process,” she shared. This internship, a key component of the master of healthcare analytics and operations degree, provided Standish with a closer look at the inner workings of healthcare operations and built a deeper appreciation for the process and teamwork involved.

Standish highlighted the value of working on diverse projects, which helped expand her knowledge of various roles within the clinic. These opportunities enabled her to directly apply concepts learned in the classroom. “It has been great to see how this internship applies directly to all my courses, especially in cases where I did case studies in class. It was amazing to do that and then see all those learnings and concepts in real-time, in real action here,” she explained.

Jenni Talbott, Standish’s supervisor, commented on the significant impacts she was able to make during her time at McFarland Clinic.

“She helped with about six projects that spanned the entire clinic operations,” Talbott said. “Overall, Jennifer helped give special focus to the needs of the various areas that had identified the projects and helped see them through to completion. One particular project was for standard operating procedures. Jennifer worked with our director of patient relations and risk management and director of patient care services to develop a plan to complete the documentation of departmental procedures and workflows. These are necessary to have in place so that everyone working in the department is aware of the proper workflows performed by that department. The end product Jennifer helped produce will assist many individuals not only in the departments she worked with directly but other departments who may need to reference these important materials.”

“It’s been a great opportunity to experience things hands-on, in real life. I worked with a lot of people in the company to assist with a variety of projects. I also got exposure to many different meetings to further understand how goals and aspirations were achieved at each step of a process.”

— Jennifer Standish

McFarland Clinic provided an environment where Standish felt supported and empowered. “There’s been a lot of amazing people who have set me up for success here and provided me with so many materials and ideas just to become better at what I do,” she noted. Her manager stood out as a source of guidance and inspiration. “I’ve had a great boss and manager. She’s been an inspiration. She’s so passionate and involved. Everyone at McFarland Clinic is very passionate about their jobs and very passionate about helping people,” Standish stated.

Talbott encourages her interns to make the most of their time.

“I encourage people to get into experiences that bring them joy and a sense of purpose,” Talbott said. “With joy and purpose in place, we are able to get through difficult times, whether it be challenging issues or lengthy projects. Do your job, or internship, to the best of your ability and make it known to your supervisor the things you are interested in working on and helping with. For internships, there may be projects that aren’t the most exciting, but there is always something you can learn from it or the people you work with on a particular project – even if it is what not to do next time.”

Standish’s decision to pursue the master’s program was driven by her passion for learning and her undergraduate background in chemistry. She saw the master of healthcare analytics and operations program as a natural extension of her interests. The internship experience further validated her choice, solidifying her career goals.

Her advice to other students considering internships was simple, just apply. “You never know what’s going to happen. Worst case, you get more experience doing an interview, you get more experience doing an application that you can use later, build your confidence. Best case, you get to have a great internship opportunity and learn a lot.”

Standish’s ultimate goal was to use her knowledge to help others and make a meaningful impact. She reflected on her journey with gratitude, emphasizing how every opportunity—whether academic or professional—contributed to her growth.

Standish’s internship at McFarland Clinic not only deepened her understanding of healthcare operations but also prepared her for a future in a field she is passionate about. Her journey highlighted the importance of moving beyond the classroom and into real-world environments where knowledge becomes tangible.

The Ivy College of Business has partnered with McFarland Clinic to provide experiential learning opportunities for our healthcare students. Standish is the first intern to benefit from this exciting partnership.

“Jennifer Standish’s experience at McFarland Clinic exemplifies how hands-on internships foster both academic understanding and professional growth, benefiting our students. Here, at the Ivy College of Business, we are committed to providing quality education that extends beyond the classroom and are excited to partner with outstanding healthcare organizations, such as McFarland,” said Natallia Gray, assistant dean and director of graduate education for healthcare analytics and operations.

March 27, 2025