UWA Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Public Health) student Sarah Solich applied her skills to support equitable recruitment and staff onboarding during her McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) at Fremantle Hospital.
Sarah said she was drawn to the McCusker Centre internship program because it offered an opportunity to give back to her community while gaining experience aligned with her career goals in the health sector.
During her internship, Sarah contributed to a Human Resources project aimed at improving the recruitment and onboarding experience for both international and domestic applicants. She developed practical resources to support new staff, including materials to address frequently asked questions, streamline recruitment processes and create opportunities for feedback through short surveys.
Her supervisors at SMHS highlighted the impact of her contribution.
“Sarah has been a wonderful addition to our team and has produced some high‑quality work,” they said. “She has been friendly, reliable and a valuable member of our team.”
A key highlight of the internship for Sarah was engaging with the diverse range of stakeholders across Fremantle Hospital. Each person she worked with brought a unique perspective that helped shape the resources she developed.
“It was very rewarding to see my work come to life and know that it would be useful to the people I had built relationships with,” she said.
One of the most challenging aspects of the role was navigating the complexities of state government recruitment systems, which were entirely new to her. She also found it challenging—but valuable—to step into the perspective of individuals relocating to Australia and navigating an unfamiliar health system.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah said the internship significantly broadened her understanding of the barriers faced by international health professionals.
“It opened my eyes to how difficult the transition into a new system can be,” she said. “It made me realise there is a lot I take for granted and helped me develop a deeper sense of empathy for those building a life and career in Australia.”
Although her work focused on Human Resources, Sarah quickly recognised its broader community impact. By improving the way health services support and onboard new staff, her work contributes to better workforce wellbeing and, ultimately, better care for patients.
Sarah believes the experience will have a lasting impact on her professional journey, particularly as she hopes to move into a health management role in the future.
“Understanding how to take good care of staff and having the tools to support them is something I will carry throughout my career,” she said.
Her supervisors also praised her professionalism and engagement, noting her strong work ethic and ability to contribute meaningfully in a new and complex environment.
The internship has already helped shape Sarah’s career pathway. She is now working part‑time as a Ward Clerk within the Inpatient team at Fremantle Hospital, where she processes admissions and discharges, ensures the accuracy and digital availability of patient records, and supports patients, families, and clinical staff to help deliver quality care. She credits the experience, and the support of the SMHS team, with helping her take this next step.
Sarah strongly recommends a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship to other students.
“The internship journey is so rewarding,” she said. “You grow personally and professionally, and you learn how to be an active citizen while making a real impact in the community.”