Customer Engagement UX Intern Summer 2027 Internship- Hybrid -Des Moines, Iowa

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Customer Engagement UX Intern Summer 2027 Internship

Company: Wellabe

Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design, Software Engineering Support

Date Posted: September 17, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on enhancing the user experience (UX) for Wellabe's digital products, including mobile applications and customer/admin portals.

• The role involves hands-on UX/UI design tasks, providing practical experience in a professional software development environment.

• Interns will participate in a structured program designed for professional development, mentorship, and exposure to company leadership.

• Collaboration with the Customer Engagement UA team will be central, supporting various projects and learning from experienced professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title mentions "Customer Engagement UA," the core responsibilities and qualifications point towards a UX/UI design focus within the context of customer-facing applications and internal administrative tools. The "UA" likely refers to "User Acquisition" or "User Analytics," suggesting the UX work will directly impact user engagement and growth metrics. This is an internship role, so the scope will be learning-oriented, focusing on foundational UX/UI principles and practical application.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and update user interfaces for Wellabe's mobile application, ensuring intuitive navigation and user-friendly interactions.

• Conduct UX/UI updates for the company's admin portal, focusing on improving efficiency and usability for internal users.

• Contribute to the design and enhancement of the customer portal's UX/UI, aiming to improve customer satisfaction and engagement.

• Collaborate with the Customer Engagement UA team to understand user needs, translate them into design solutions, and support project goals.

• Participate actively in internship program activities, including orientation, regular check-ins, learning sessions, and social events.

• Work closely with assigned mentors to gain practical skills, receive feedback, and navigate project challenges.

• Assist in user research and testing activities to gather feedback and iterate on design solutions.

• Document design processes, decisions, and outcomes as part of project deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed essential functions directly translate to primary responsibilities. The emphasis on "updates" suggests that the intern might be working on refining existing interfaces rather than creating entirely new ones from scratch, which is typical for an internship. The "Customer Engagement UA team" context implies that the UX work will be tied to driving user acquisition and retention, requiring an understanding of user behavior and engagement strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Management Information Systems (MIS). Experience:

• While this is an internship, prior exposure to UX/UI design principles or projects is highly valued.

• Coursework and projects demonstrating a strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals are essential. Required Skills:

• Strong academic foundation in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or MIS.

• Familiarity with software engineering principles and development methodologies.

• Basic understanding of UX design principles and user-centered design approaches.

• Eagerness to learn and apply UX/UI concepts in a professional setting.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.

• Ability to manage time effectively and meet project deadlines. Preferred Skills:

• Prior coursework or project experience in User Experience (UX) design.

• Experience with User Interface (UI) coding or front-end development technologies.

• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts or applications.

• Experience with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Understanding of mobile app design patterns and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "UX experience preferred" and "UI coding experience preferred" indicate that candidates with some practical exposure will have a distinct advantage. The requirement for "strong coursework in software engineering, AI, etc." suggests that a solid technical background is as crucial as design aptitude for this role, possibly indicating that the role involves some level of implementation or collaboration with developers on technical feasibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least one project demonstrating UX research and design thinking process (e.g., user personas, journey maps, wireframes).

• Include examples of UI design work, such as mockups or prototypes, highlighting visual design skills and attention to detail.

• Present any UI coding samples or projects that demonstrate an understanding of front-end development principles.

• Detail contributions to team projects, emphasizing collaboration and problem-solving approaches. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, from problem identification to solution implementation.

• Demonstrate how you gather requirements, conduct research, and iterate on designs based on feedback.

• Explain how you consider user needs, business goals, and technical constraints in your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship, the portfolio expectations are less about completed, large-scale projects and more about demonstrating potential and understanding of the design process. Applicants should focus on showcasing their academic or personal projects that align with UX/UI design, even if they are conceptual or smaller in scope. Highlighting any collaboration or problem-solving within these projects will be beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a paid internship for Summer 2027, a competitive hourly wage is expected. Based on industry standards for paid UX/UI internships in Des Moines, Iowa, a range of $18 - $25 per hour is estimated. This estimate considers the intern's experience level (0-2 years), the hybrid work arrangement, and the comprehensive program benefits. Benefits:

• Paid Internship: Compensation for the 10-week duration of the program.

• Mentorship Program: Dedicated one-on-one mentorship from experienced professionals.

• Professional Development: Structured learning sessions and workshops focused on skill enhancement.

• Leadership Exposure: Weekly coffee chats with company leaders to gain insights into the organization.

• Networking Opportunities: Engaging social events and team-building activities.

• Real-World Experience: Practical application of academic knowledge in a professional environment.

• Hybrid Work Arrangement: Flexibility to work both remotely and from the Des Moines office.

Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time role during the 10-week internship period (June 7th - August 13th, 2027).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical paid internship compensation for UX/UI roles in a mid-sized US city like Des Moines. The exact rate would depend on Wellabe's specific internship compensation structure and the intern's academic standing or prior relevant experience. The benefits listed are directly derived from the "About Wellabe Internship Program" section.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Insurance (Wellabe's focus on health and financial well-being protection).

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size. However, the description of an established internship program with leadership engagement suggests a mid-to-large sized organization.

Founded: 1929. This long history indicates stability, deep industry knowledge, and a commitment to long-term customer relationships.

Team Structure:

• The intern will join the Customer Engagement UA team, implying a focus on user acquisition, retention, and engagement strategies within the customer-facing digital product space.

• Collaboration is a key value, suggesting a team environment where cross-functional input is encouraged.

• The internship program structure indicates a supportive environment with dedicated mentors and regular interaction with leadership. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for the intern role, Wellabe's emphasis on "finding solutions" and "sparking innovation" suggests a data-informed approach to product development and customer engagement.

• Continuous Improvement: The core value "Be better" points towards a culture of ongoing refinement and adaptation in processes and products.

• Collaborative Problem Solving: The value "Be collaborative" highlights a methodology where teams work together to address challenges and bring ideas to life.

Company Website: https://www.wellabe.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding date and commitment to customer well-being provide a strong foundation for understanding its mission and culture. The emphasis on core values like dedication, trustworthiness, and collaboration are crucial for understanding team dynamics and expected professional behavior within the Customer Engagement UA team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an internship role, representing an entry-level opportunity focused on gaining foundational experience in UX/UI design within a corporate setting. It's a stepping stone for students looking to enter the tech or design field.

Reporting Structure: The intern will likely report to a UX/UI Designer, a Product Manager, or a lead within the Customer Engagement UA team. They will also have a dedicated one-on-one mentor as part of the internship program.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is developmental, the UX/UI work on customer-facing applications and portals directly influences user satisfaction, engagement, and potentially conversion rates. The insights gained and contributions made can inform future product iterations and strategies for user acquisition and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning and practical application of UX/UI design principles, software engineering concepts, and professional collaboration skills.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining firsthand experience in the financial services/insurance sector and understanding how UX/UI contributes to business objectives.

• Networking: Building professional connections through mentorship, leadership interactions, and social events, which can lead to future opportunities.

• Career Exploration: Opportunity to explore a career path in UX/UI design, software engineering, or product development.

• Potential for Future Employment: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time roles or subsequent internships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis is framed around the internship experience. The emphasis is on learning, exposure, and building a foundation for a career in UX/UI or related tech fields. The "operations impact" is contextualized within the intern's role, focusing on how their design work supports broader customer engagement goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This means the intern will split their time between working remotely and working from Wellabe's office in Des Moines, Iowa.

Office Location(s): Des Moines, Iowa. Specific office address details would be provided upon hiring or during the onboarding process. The location in Iowa suggests a potentially lower cost of living compared to major tech hubs, which can be an advantage for interns.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company culture emphasizes collaboration, suggesting opportunities to work closely with team members, mentors, and potentially other departments.

• Technology Access: Interns are expected to have access to necessary tools and technology for both remote and in-office work, including design software and communication platforms.

• Learning Hub: The internship program is designed as a learning environment, with dedicated sessions and leader interactions, indicating a supportive atmosphere for knowledge acquisition.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) for the 10-week duration of the internship. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in scheduling the remote and in-office days, likely in coordination with the team and manager.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, offering a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration. Des Moines, Iowa, as a location, offers a different pace and cost of living than larger tech hubs, which can be attractive for interns. The emphasis on collaboration and learning within the workspace context is paramount.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and any submitted portfolio materials.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a technical or design challenge focused on UX/UI principles or problem-solving. This might involve a case study or a design exercise.

• Interviews: Likely involves interviews with hiring managers, team members from the Customer Engagement UA team, and potentially HR. Questions will assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and understanding of UX/UI concepts.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the intern presents their portfolio, discusses their design process, and explains their project contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking process for each project. Use visuals like wireframes, user flows, and personas to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Impact: Even for academic projects, explain the problem you were trying to solve, your approach, and the (even theoretical) impact of your design. Quantify results if possible.

• Tailor to Role: Emphasize projects that align with mobile app design, portal UX/UI, and customer engagement.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If you worked on team projects, clearly define your role and contributions.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to answer questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would iterate on your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge of core UX principles, heuristics, and common design patterns.

• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down design problems, identifying user needs, and proposing creative solutions.

• Tool Proficiency: Be comfortable discussing or demonstrating your proficiency with common design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Company Research: Understand Wellabe's business, its mission, and its customer base to tailor your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for an internship typically focuses on potential, foundational knowledge, and a willingness to learn. The portfolio review is critical for demonstrating practical application of design skills. Applicants should prepare to articulate their thought process clearly and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and the company.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (or similar industry-standard UX/UI design software). Proficiency in at least one is expected.

• Collaboration: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar platforms for team communication and project coordination.

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello may be used by the team for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for the intern, familiarity with analytics concepts for user behavior tracking (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) might be beneficial for understanding user engagement.

• Basic understanding of data visualization principles for presenting design outcomes. CRM & Automation:

• Awareness of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might be helpful contextually, as the UX work supports customer engagement efforts.

• Understanding of how UI/UX impacts data collection within these systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a UX/UI intern primarily revolves around design and collaboration tools. While direct experience with analytics or CRM systems isn't explicitly required, an understanding of how UX/UI design interfaces with these systems can be a significant advantage. The emphasis will be on proficiency in core design software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be Dedicated: Show commitment to the internship program and assigned projects by taking initiative and managing time effectively.

• Be Trustworthy: Act with integrity, take accountability for your work, and build positive relationships with team members and mentors.

• Be Determined: Approach challenges with enthusiasm and a drive to find solutions and achieve project goals.

• Be Collaborative: Actively participate in team discussions, listen to feedback, and contribute positively to group efforts.

• Be Open: Be receptive to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and constructive feedback.

• Be Generous: Contribute to a positive team environment and support colleagues.

• Be Better: Embrace opportunities for learning and continuous improvement in your design skills and professional conduct.

• Be Well: Prioritize your well-being and maintain a healthy work-life balance, demonstrating emotional intelligence.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to collaborate with designers, developers, product managers, and potentially marketing or customer success teams.

• Feedback-Driven: The culture encourages open feedback loops for design iteration and personal growth.

• Knowledge Sharing: The internship program itself is built on knowledge sharing through learning sessions and mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: Wellabe's core values are deeply integrated into their culture and are expected to guide intern behavior. Understanding these values is crucial for demonstrating cultural fit and professional maturity during the internship. The emphasis on "Be better" and "Be collaborative" highlights a forward-thinking and team-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Learning and Contribution: A key challenge will be to learn rapidly while also contributing meaningfully to team projects within a limited timeframe.

• Translating Theory to Practice: Applying academic UX/UI knowledge to real-world business problems and constraints.

• Receiving and Incorporating Feedback: Effectively processing constructive criticism from mentors and team members to improve designs.

• Navigating a Corporate Environment: Adapting to professional workflows, communication styles, and team dynamics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Intensive Skill Building: Direct experience in UX/UI design, mobile app design, portal interfaces, and collaborative software development processes.

• Industry Insight: Gaining an understanding of the financial services and insurance industry and its digital product landscape.

• Mentorship and Networking: Access to experienced professionals and leaders for guidance and career advice.

• Professional Acumen: Developing essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for internship roles and are framed as opportunities for growth. The focus is on developing practical skills and professional maturity. The learning opportunities are extensive, offering a rich developmental experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UX Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a mobile app feature, from initial concept to final mockups." (Focus on research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing).

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you encountered a design challenge. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your analytical skills and iterative design approach).

• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with developers or other team members on design projects?" (Emphasize communication, feedback integration, and understanding technical constraints).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in this specific internship at Wellabe, and what do you hope to achieve?" (Connect your goals to Wellabe's mission and the internship program).

• Values Alignment: "How do Wellabe's core values, such as 'Be better' or 'Be collaborative,' resonate with your personal work ethic?" (Provide specific examples).

• Industry Interest: "What interests you about the financial services or insurance industry, and how do you see UX playing a role?" (Show you've researched the company and industry).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the results/learnings.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (mockups, wireframes, user flows) and ensure they are easy to understand.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on your strongest projects and articulate your contributions clearly and efficiently.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, include interactive prototypes to showcase user flow and experience.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges, and potential improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for an internship should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of UX/UI fundamentals, a clear design process, enthusiasm for learning, and alignment with the company's culture and values. The portfolio presentation is a key component for showcasing practical skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Customer Engagement UX Intern position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.ultipro.com.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or MIS, along with any UX/UI design projects, coding experience, or relevant skills mentioned in the job description. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases your UX/UI design process, wireframes, mockups, and any UI coding samples. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., via a link) and clearly demonstrates your skills and thinking.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to discuss your design process, problem-solving skills, collaborative experiences, and motivations for applying to Wellabe.

• Research Wellabe: Familiarize yourself with Wellabe's mission, values, and the financial services industry to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.