NYCPS Division of Human Resources (DHR) Undergraduate 2025 Summer Internship

Tell us about yourself

My name is Farah Hussain. I’m a junior at Hunter College majoring in psychology. I’m currently a research assistant at Columbia Psychiatry where I work on participant recruitment, work closely with research participants, coordinate study procedures, and develop skills in data collection and analysis. I was also a Bridge Coach for College and Career Bridge for All which is a program with the New York City Public Schools and CUNY. I helped about 300 high school senior students through their college enrollment processes which helped me strengthen my communication, organizational, and time management skills. These experiences helped me realize that I like to make people feel supported by helping people reach their goals, which is why I want to pursue HR. 

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My greatest strength is that I’m efficient with my time and I stay organized. I use the Notes app on my phone to note important deadlines to stay ahead.  I sometimes struggle to ask for help, as I don't want to appear incompetent. I understand that seeking guidance when needed is crucial for both my own growth and the success of the team. I'm actively working on recognizing when I need assistance and reaching out to my colleagues and supervisors

Can you describe a situation in which you faced a conflict or disagreement on a team? How did you handle it?

As a Research Assistant at Columbia Psychiatry, my supervisor required participants to complete lengthy forms before their sessions. However, many struggled with the complex language, leading to delays and errors. I brought up my concerns and suggested breaking the forms into two parts—one to be completed in advance and one reviewed with a researcher during the session. My supervisor initially hesitated, but I explained how this would improve accuracy and participant experience. She agreed to try it, and we found that this approach reduced errors and made the process more efficient without increasing appointment times. This experience taught me that framing solutions rather than just pointing out problems leads to more productive outcomes.

Tell us about an accomplishment you’re proud of and why.

In my previous role as a Bridge Coach, I realized that many of my high school students were behind on their enrollment deadlines. I made a Google sheet with each one of my 300 students in my caseload and sent each one an individual text message to remind and follow up with them. This boosted our enrollment rate by about 10%. I was proud of this because it addressed an issue that needed attention and it showed how extra outreach can make a difference for students and their futures. This made me realize how important communication and organization is.

Why should we hire you over other candidates?

I have good people and data-focused problem-solving skills from my current role as a research assistant at Columbia and as a previous Bridge Coach. I learned how to communicate effectively with people from diverse groups from research participants to high school students and I know how to follow detailed processes. I’m passionate about helping people in educational environments. I know how important it is for someone to hear clear communication and guidance, it really could make a difference in their life.

What interests you most about working in human resources, and why do you believe an HR internship in an education setting aligns with your career goals?

I’m interested in human resources because I know that it’s deeply intertwined with psychology. My background in psychology has shown me how the right guidance and support system can help a person, especially in a large diverse environment. Working in an educational setting like NYC Public Schools would be exciting because I would directly make an impact on students, teachers, and staff across so many communities. I want to use this internship to create supportive and inclusive spaces where everyone can perform at their best and feel valued. This aligns with my long-term goal of making a meaningful difference in the education setting. 

Tell us about a time you worked on a team project. What was your role, and how did you collaborate with others to achieve the group’s objectives?

One team project that stands out is when I worked as a Bridge Coach for College and Career Bridge for All. Our goal was to help hundreds of high school seniors complete their college enrollment tasks—everything from submitting financial aid forms to registering for classes. My role involved coordinating with a small team of fellow coaches to track each student’s progress, identify any barriers, and reach out proactively if they needed extra support. I took the initiative to set up a shared spreadsheet that allowed all of us to update student status in real time. This not only reduced duplicated efforts but also made it easier to spot trends—like which students were consistently missing deadlines—and to address them collectively. By centralizing the data and conducting brief weekly check-ins, we ensured our entire team was on the same page and could provide timely help. As a result, we significantly increased on-time enrollment and gave students a clearer, smoother pathway to college.

How do you handle competing priorities and manage your time effectively, especially when multiple deadlines occur simultaneously?

I’m highly organized and use a mix of digital tools and prioritization techniques to manage my time effectively. One habit I’ve developed is using a to-do list on the Notes app on my phone to track daily tasks and deadlines. This not only keeps me accountable but also gives me a clear visual of what I need to accomplish.

When handling competing priorities, I first assess urgency and importance, making sure high-impact tasks get done first. If multiple deadlines overlap, I break tasks into smaller steps and allocate focused time blocks to ensure steady progress. I also build flexibility—if something unexpected comes up, I adjust my schedule rather than rushing through work.

What do you know about the NYC Public Schools system or the public education sector, and how do you see HR supporting the mission of a large school district?

I know that the NYC Public Schools is the largest school district in the U.S. It’s really diverse and includes many people from many different cultural backgrounds. NYC Public Schools need effective recruitment, development and support of thousands of educators. HR plays an important role because they make sure that schools have the right people, like experienced teachers so that students receive the best education. 

Where do you see this internship fitting into your long-term career path? How do you hope to apply the skills you gain in your future endeavors?

This internship would be a great step for me in pursuing my long term goal of pursuing a career in HR. My background in psychology has strengthened my understanding of people’s motivations and behaviors but I am interested in the operational side of HR like recruitment processes, onboarding etc. In the future, these skills would help me create more effective and inclusive work environments.

Which of our HR functions (e.g., teacher recruitment, employee relations) aligns best with your interests, and why?

I’m especially interested in teacher recruitment because it aligns closely with my experience guiding individuals through important processes, as I did in my Bridge Coach role. I loved seeing how the right resources and clear communication can empower people to make significant decisions—like enrolling in college. In the same way, effective teacher recruitment can bring passionate, qualified educators into schools, positively influencing students’ lives.

Share an example of when you had to communicate complex information to someone. How did you ensure clarity?

As a Bridge Coach, I worked with high school seniors to complete their college enrollment paperwork, including financial aid forms. Many students and families found these forms confusing, like FAFSA verification. I broke down the forms into step-by-step explanations using simple language. Instead of just telling students what to do, I walked them through an example—filling out a hypothetical form together so they could see exactly how to complete theirs. This approach reduced errors and last-minute issues, and students felt more confident completing their paperwork.

Why do you want to intern at NYC Public Schools specifically?

NYC Public Schools is the largest and most diverse school district in the country, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to an HR team that impacts so many educators, staff, and students. My background in psychology has shown me how critical strong support systems are in large organizations, and HR plays a key role in ensuring schools have the right talent and resources. This internship is a chance for me to apply my communication and organizational skills in a meaningful way, helping create a supportive environment for the educators who shape students’ futures.

How does this internship fit into your long-term career goals?

This internship is a key step toward my goal of building a career in human resources, with a particular interest in organizational development and employee relations. I’ve been exploring Industrial-Organizational Psychology and how it applies to HR, and this role will give me hands-on experience in a large, dynamic system

Give an example of a time you had to adjust your plans due to unexpected changes.

As a Bridge Coach, we planned an in-person workshop to help seniors complete college enrollment, but many students couldn’t attend due to a last-minute scheduling conflict. I quickly adjusted by offering virtual one-on-one sessions and creating a step-by-step guide so students could complete the process on their own. This ensured nearly all students met their deadlines, and it reinforced my ability to stay flexible, problem-solve, and keep things moving despite unexpected changes