2026 Summer UX Research Internship

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 2026 Summer UX Research Internship

Company: Blue Shield of California

Location: Woodland Hills, CA, United States

Job Type: Full-time Internship

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Design

Date Posted: February 13, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Gain hands-on experience in the full UX/UI design lifecycle within a leading healthcare organization.

• Conduct user research to uncover critical insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Translate research findings into actionable product insights, personas, and journey maps.

• Contribute to simplifying complex healthcare tools and processes through user-centered design.

• Collaborate within a dynamic Information Technology team focused on data, analytics, and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Summer Internship, indicating a focus on learning and development within a defined program. The "0-2 years" experience level further confirms it's an entry-level opportunity. The hybrid work model suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research studies, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather qualitative and quantitative data on user needs and behaviors.

• Analyze research findings and synthesize them into clear, concise, and actionable insights that inform product strategy and design decisions.

• Develop user personas, journey maps, and user flow diagrams to represent target audiences and their interactions with healthcare products.

• Create digital mockups, wireframes, and prototypes to visualize design solutions and communicate concepts effectively.

• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers, product managers, and IT stakeholders to ensure user-centered design principles are integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Assist in simplifying complex healthcare tools and processes by identifying user pain points and proposing innovative design solutions.

• Participate in team meetings, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions to contribute to a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Stay updated on the latest UX research methodologies, design trends, and industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities focus on the core activities of a UX Researcher, emphasizing the translation of research into tangible design artifacts and insights. The mention of simplifying complex healthcare tools highlights the specific challenge and impact of this role within the healthcare industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing or recently graduated from a Bachelor's or Postgraduate degree program with a focus on User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Foundational knowledge of UX research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing).

• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and best practices.

• Ability to translate research findings into meaningful product insights and design recommendations.

• Experience with creating user personas, journey maps, or user flows.

• Proficiency in at least one design or prototyping tool (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret data and identify user needs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings and collaborating with teams.

• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research platforms (e.g., UserZoom, Lookback).

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Basic understanding of UI design and visual design principles.

• Experience in the healthcare industry or with healthcare-related products.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of academic background, practical project experience, and core UX competencies. The explicit requirement to reside in California is crucial for interns in this hybrid role, ensuring they can meet the in-office attendance expectations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 1-2 detailed UX research projects demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the research process.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies used, and participant recruitment strategy.

• Present findings with compelling data visualizations and insightful analysis.

• Detail how research insights directly informed design decisions or product improvements.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, clearly outline the research process followed, from planning and recruitment to analysis and reporting.

• Demonstrate an understanding of iterative design processes, where research feedback loops into design iterations.

• Show evidence of translating complex user needs into simplified design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship role, the portfolio should focus on demonstrating a strong grasp of the UX research process and the ability to translate research into actionable insights, rather than extensive professional experience. Highlighting academic or personal projects that showcase this capability is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Paid internship experience.

• Opportunity to work on impactful projects within a leading healthcare organization.

• Mentorship from experienced UX Research and Product Design professionals.

• Networking opportunities within the IT and healthcare industries.

• Potential for future career opportunities within Blue Shield of California.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, aligning with full-time internship expectations.

• Specific daily schedule to be determined with the hiring manager, balancing project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on industry standards for UX Research Internships in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles/Woodland Hills, CA, an hourly rate of $25-$35 USD is a reasonable estimate. This range accounts for the entry-level nature of the role and the cost of living in Southern California.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare, Health Insurance

Company Size: Blue Shield of California is a large organization, employing over 10,000 individuals. Stellarus, as a newer entity within the Ascendiun Family of Companies, aims to scale innovative healthcare solutions.

Founded: Blue Shield of California was founded in 1939. Stellarus was launched in January 2025.

Team Structure:

• The Information Technology team is a broad department overseeing various functions, including Data & Analytics, Strategic Planning & Performance, IT Infrastructure Services, IT Shared Services, IT Applications, and Information Security.

• The UX Research Intern will report to the Director of UX Research & Product Design, indicating a specialized sub-team within IT focused on user experience.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes an "information-led organization" and leverages "technology advancement."

• Stellarus's vision is to "empower its customers" and offer "innovative, modern, scalable solutions that challenge the health care status quo."

• Core values for Stellarus include agility, trust, drive, courage, and service.

• The workplace model promotes intentional in-person interaction, collaboration, connection, creativity, and flexibility, with most teams coming into the office two days per week.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of Stellarus and its values provides specific context for the internship. The emphasis on innovation, challenging the status quo, and a hybrid work model are key cultural indicators for potential interns. The connection to Blue Shield of California signifies a stable and established parent organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position, designed for individuals early in their UX Research career. It provides foundational exposure to professional UX research practices within a corporate setting.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report directly to the Director of UX Research & Product Design. This provides a direct line of mentorship and oversight from a senior leader in the UX field.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact may be limited by project scope, their work in simplifying complex healthcare tools and processes contributes to improving user experience for members and stakeholders. Their research findings can directly influence product design and future development roadmaps, demonstrating a tangible contribution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen understanding and practical application of UX research methodologies, user-centered design principles, and industry-standard tools.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the healthcare industry, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities for UX innovation.

• Networking: Build professional relationships with experienced UX professionals, product managers, and IT leaders, which can be crucial for future career advancement.

• Potential Future Roles: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time entry-level positions or other internship opportunities within Blue Shield of California or the Ascendiun Family of Companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around skill acquisition, industry exposure, and potential future employment, which are the primary benefits of an internship program. The direct reporting to a Director is a significant advantage for learning and mentorship.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company utilizes a hybrid workplace model, meaning the role involves a mix of in-office work and remote work. This model is designed for purposeful in-person collaboration, connection, and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Woodland Hills, CA. This office serves as a hub for collaboration for teams based in the region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages focused in-person collaboration on designated days, facilitating teamwork and idea exchange.

• Tools & Technology: Interns will likely have access to standard office technology, design software (e.g., Figma), and potentially specialized UX research tools provided by the IT department.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with the UX Research & Product Design team, IT professionals, and potentially cross-functional stakeholders during in-office days.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, implying approximately 40 hours per week.

• The specific days for in-office work are typically two days per week, to be coordinated with the manager to maximize collaborative opportunities.

• Flexibility exists, but it's balanced with business needs and intentional in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specified office days is a key aspect of the work environment. Understanding the expectation of being in the Woodland Hills office at least twice a week is crucial for applicants outside the immediate vicinity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screens applications for basic qualifications and alignment with internship requirements (e.g., residency in CA, degree program).

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Director of UX Research & Product Design to assess UX knowledge, research skills, critical thinking, and cultural fit. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present 1-2 key projects from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, insights, and impact. This is a critical part of the evaluation.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview (Optional): May involve meeting with other team members or potential collaborators to assess fit and communication style.

• Offer: Extension of an offer to successful candidates.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives. Clearly explain the context, your role, the challenges, your process, the outcomes, and the lessons learned.

• Process Focus: Emphasize your research methodology and how you translated insights into design recommendations. Show your thinking process.

• Visual Clarity: Use clear visuals, mockups, and data representations. Ensure your work is easy to understand and visually appealing.

• Impact & Reflection: Quantify impact where possible, or clearly articulate the qualitative benefits of your work. Reflect on what you learned and how you would approach similar projects differently in the future.

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that demonstrate skills relevant to healthcare UX or simplifying complex systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to common UX research challenges, such as recruiting hard-to-reach participants, dealing with conflicting stakeholder requirements, or synthesizing large amounts of qualitative data.

• Practice articulating your design rationale and research findings concisely and effectively.

• Research Blue Shield of California and Stellarus to understand their mission, values, and current initiatives in healthcare innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is highlighted as a crucial step. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects, focusing on the process and the impact of their research. Understanding the company's mission in healthcare is also key for demonstrating alignment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, given industry trends and prevalence), Sketch, Adobe XD.

• User Research Platforms: UserZoom, Lookback, Maze, or similar tools for remote usability testing and surveys.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello (common in IT departments for workflow tracking).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for data analysis and visualization may be utilized depending on the project scope (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau, Power BI).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly part of UX research, an understanding of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and automation tools impact user experience within a business context can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, common industry standards for UX research and design are inferred. Proficiency in Figma and familiarity with user research platforms are highly likely to be expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Agility: Embracing change, adapting quickly to new information, and iterating on designs based on feedback.

• Trust: Building confidence with users through reliable and user-friendly designs, and fostering open communication within the team.

• Drive: Proactively seeking out research opportunities and pushing for user-centered solutions that deliver tangible value.

• Courage: Willingness to challenge assumptions, present user needs that may conflict with initial product ideas, and advocate for the user.

• Service: Focusing on creating positive and accessible healthcare experiences for members and stakeholders.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with designers, product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure research insights are understood and integrated into the product development cycle.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research findings as the primary basis for design decisions and product strategy.

• Feedback & Iteration: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on research plans, findings, and design concepts to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing learnings from research, and contributing to a collective understanding of user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of Stellarus (agility, trust, drive, courage, service) are directly applicable to the UX Research intern role, shaping how the intern should approach their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying Complex Healthcare: Navigating the intricacies of the healthcare system and translating complex information into intuitive user experiences.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Synthesizing diverse stakeholder requirements with user needs to create effective design solutions.

• Data Synthesis: Efficiently processing and analyzing potentially large volumes of qualitative and quantitative research data.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively contributing and collaborating within a hybrid work model, ensuring clear communication and engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from senior UX leaders, offering personalized feedback and career advice.

• Hands-on Experience: Practical application of UX research methodologies in a real-world corporate environment.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the specific challenges and opportunities within the healthcare technology sector.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunity to refine skills in research, analysis, communication, and design tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the role and industry, providing insight into the types of problems the intern will help solve. The growth opportunities are framed to emphasize the developmental aspect of this internship.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex process or piece of information for a specific audience. What was your approach?" (Focus on methodology, user empathy, and clarity.)

• "How do you translate raw user feedback into actionable design recommendations?" (Highlight synthesis, insight generation, and prioritization.)

• "Walk me through a UX research project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your process, your key findings, and the outcome?" (Be prepared to elaborate on every step, your role, and lessons learned.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX research, and specifically in the healthcare industry?" (Connect your passion to the company's mission and the role's impact.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with designers, product managers, or engineers?" (Emphasize communication, teamwork, and an understanding of cross-functional roles.)

• "What do you know about Blue Shield of California and Stellarus, and our mission?" (Show you've done your research and understand their goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Use a clear narrative: Problem > Research Approach > Findings > Insights > Recommendations/Design > Impact/Learnings.

• Focus on Process: Detail how you conducted the research, not just what you found. Explain your methodology choices.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, personas, journey maps, data charts) to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any positive outcomes or how your work influenced decisions. If not, focus on the clarity of insights and potential impact.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, challenges, and how you’d handle different scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating core UX research skills, understanding the company's mission, and effectively presenting portfolio work. The emphasis is on process and insight generation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research Internship position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight UX research experience, relevant projects, and skills mentioned in the job description. Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to conduct research and translate findings into insights.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your educational background, any relevant coursework or bootcamps, and specific UX research projects. Use keywords such as "UX Research," "User Interviews," "Usability Testing," "Persona Development," "Journey Mapping," and relevant software (e.g., Figma).

• Interview Preparation: Practice explaining your portfolio projects using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare to discuss your understanding of UX research methodologies and your interest in the healthcare industry.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Blue Shield of California's mission, values, and recent initiatives, as well as Stellarus's vision and approach to healthcare innovation. Understand their commitment to user-centered design and hybrid work.

⚠️ 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.

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