Intern of the Week: Rumsha Khan

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 01:51:16 -0400
agingservices, careersuccess, internoftheweek, internshipexperience, ombudsmaninternship, publicservice, studentspotlight, umbccareercenter, umbcinternship, umbcproud, umbcstudents

Name: Rumsha Khan
Pronouns: she/her
Semester of Internship: Spring 2024
Major: BA in Sociology and Management of Aging Services (Double Major), Minor in Health, Wellness, and Aging
Current Class Level: Senior
This semester I completed a(n): Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Baltimore County Government – Department of Aging, Ombudsman Program

Location of the Organization (City, State):
Catonsville Office (Catonsville Senior Center), Maryland
Training: Bykota Senior Center, Towson, MD

Title of Position: Ombudsman Program Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
I’m currently interning with the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Ombudsman Program. The ombudsmen are the voice for older adults in long-term care facilities—advocating for their rights, addressing their concerns, and empowering them to speak up. I’ve visited various facilities, supported the team in addressing resident concerns, and documented visits to better understand residents’ challenges. I also worked on projects like creating a printable assisted living facility resource and collecting data on resident/family councils.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
As part of the Management of Aging Services degree, an internship was required. Professor Lauren Price shared the Ombudsman Program opportunity with me. After researching the role and feeling aligned with its mission, I applied via the county website and interviewed with Lynn McCamie, who became an incredible mentor. After training, I was placed in the Catonsville office.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Faculty connections—specifically Professor Lauren Price’s recommendation—and county government resources.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
Everything! Especially building meaningful connections with residents and empowering them through conversation and advocacy. I also appreciated the diverse learning experiences—from webinars to hands-on work—that expanded my understanding of long-term care systems.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I’ve served as a consistent, compassionate presence for residents, helping them feel heard and respected. I’ve also become more aware of systemic challenges in long-term care and feel inspired to contribute to policy change in the future.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Go in with an open mind and a passion to learn. Engage deeply with the experience, ask questions, and take time to reflect on what this work teaches you about your values and goals. Learn policies—they’re the key to making meaningful change.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:
The Career Center was a huge support throughout my journey. I met with Farhan Nadeem through Handshake, and his personalized resume/cover letter advice made a big difference. The Career Center offers valuable tools and guidance—every student should take advantage of it.