UX Design Intern - Summer 2026

Exact Sciences
Full-timeβ€’$35k-56k/year (USD)β€’Madison, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Intern - Summer 2026

Company: Exact Sciences

Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States (On-site at Madison Endeavor campus)

Job Type: Full-time Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Customer Experience (CX)

Date Posted: January 28, 2026

Experience Level: Intern (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This internship focuses on supporting the creation of innovative, customer-centric digital and physical journeys within Exact Sciences' Customer Experience (CX) team.

  • The role involves translating UX strategy and vision into tangible design outputs, requiring collaboration across design, product, marketing, and development teams.

  • Key responsibilities include gathering requirements, organizing ambiguity, and producing design deliverables like wireframes, visual systems, and customer-interaction models.

  • Emphasis is placed on understanding and advocating for user research, simplifying complex ideas through design, and contributing to a cohesive, inspiring customer experience that drives business value.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on UX Design, the context of Exact Sciences (a diagnostics and cancer testing company) and the mention of "Customer Experience (CX)" team, "Provider", and "Lab Users" suggests a strong connection to healthcare technology and user workflows within a clinical or laboratory setting. This role is not a traditional "operations" role but requires operational thinking in terms of process, efficiency, and user journey mapping within a regulated industry.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Support the Customer Experience (CX) team in defining and delivering innovative, customer-centric journeys across digital and physical touchpoints.

  • Collaborate with Designers, Copywriters, Content Strategists, Product Managers, Marketing, Business Unit stakeholders, Internal Users, and Development partners.

  • Assist in gathering requirements and transforming ambiguous information into structured, organized design plans and deliverables.

  • Contribute to the creation of wireframes, visual systems, customer-interaction models, and design specifications for various customer types and experiences.

  • Advocate for the integration of user research findings into the design process and decision-making.

  • Utilize design thinking, storytelling, and conceptual prototypes to effectively communicate product vision, user flows, and features.

  • Help ensure the delivery of cohesive, inspiring customer experiences that align with business objectives and meet user needs.

  • Support efforts in digital, marketing, and product design, with a focus on interaction and visual design principles.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complexity and ambiguity, which are core to many operational roles. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and delivering tangible design artifacts suggests the intern will be involved in the practical execution of UX strategies, requiring a structured approach to design and project management.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

  • Internship experience or equivalent educational projects related to User Experience (UX) Design.

  • Demonstrated ability to apply modern user experience design, discovery, and delivery techniques.

  • Experience in simplifying and communicating complex ideas to broad audiences.

  • Experience creating designs that leverage known persona or archetypal work and measurement objectives.

  • Experience translating complex user, business, operational, and technical requirements into clear, accurate, compelling user experience deliverables.

  • Experience in collaborative work settings, relationship building, and fostering curiosity for creative problem-solving.

  • Experience problem-solving, with strong organizational and analytical skills to execute UX strategy based on research, data, and industry trends.

  • Understanding of human-centered design and design thinking methodologies (e.g., journey mapping, persona development).

  • Understanding of principles for creating accessible, inclusive, and equitable designs.

  • Demonstrated understanding of current web and mobile technology landscapes.

  • Basic knowledge of Agile/Scrum/Kanban principles.

Required Skills:

  • Currently pursuing a degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field.

  • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

  • Ability to gather requirements and structure ambiguous information.

Preferred Skills:

  • 1+ years of experience and/or education related to UX Design.

  • Experience with Figma for design and prototyping.

  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite applications.

  • Knowledge of HTML and CSS.

  • Experience creating high-fidelity user interface designs or branded content.

  • Knowledge of best-in-class design systems (e.g., Material, Carbon, Fluent).

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications point towards practical, hands-on design skills and tool proficiency, which are critical for executing design tasks efficiently and to a high standard. The mention of "operational requirements" and "process flow definition" indicates that an understanding of operational efficiency and workflow logic will be a significant advantage.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate a strong approach to design through examples of bringing experiences and features to life across various touchpoints.

  • Showcase instances where work effectively communicated complex ideas and terminology through simple, engaging designs.

  • Include examples of creating wireframes, visual systems, and customer-interaction models.

Process Documentation:

  • Showcase how you translate complex user, business, operational, and technical requirements into clear design deliverables.

  • Illustrate your approach to gathering requirements and structuring ambiguous information into organized design plans.

  • Provide examples of user flow definition and process analysis within your design projects.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the portfolio should emphasize the candidate's design process, problem-solving approach, and ability to learn and apply new tools and methodologies. While not a traditional "operations" portfolio, demonstrating structure, clarity, and the ability to manage project inputs and outputs is key.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

  • Paid time off (including days for vacation, holidays, volunteering, and personal time)

  • Paid leave for parents and caregivers

  • Retirement savings plan

  • Wellness support

Working Hours:

  • Full-time, 40 hours per week.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a good benchmark for intern positions in the Madison, WI area, especially within a healthcare technology company. The benefits listed are comprehensive and indicative of a company that values employee well-being, which is a positive factor for long-term career considerations, even for an internship.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology, Diagnostics, Cancer Detection & Treatment. Exact Sciences is a leader in providing diagnostic tests and solutions to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

Company Size: Exact Sciences is a large organization with a significant employee base, indicating a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for growth.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, the company's mission and growth suggest a dynamic and innovative business environment focused on rapid advancement in medical diagnostics.

Team Structure:

  • The Customer Experience (CX) team is responsible for customer journeys across all channels.

  • This team works with diverse groups including Designers, Copywriters, Content Strategists, Product, Marketing, Business Units, Internal Users, and Development partners.

Methodology:

  • The team emphasizes a customer-centric approach, defining and driving innovative, immersive, and memorable customer journeys.

  • They utilize Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to measure success.

  • Design thinking, user research, and a focus on translating strategy into tangible design outputs are core to their methodology.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Exact Sciences operates in a highly regulated industry (healthcare), which implies a strong emphasis on quality, compliance, and rigorous process adherence. The culture likely balances innovation with a structured, data-driven approach to product development and customer engagement.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Development: Deepen understanding of UX design principles, interaction design, visual design, and user research methodologies. Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

  • Industry Exposure: Learn about the healthcare technology and diagnostics industry, including regulatory considerations and the unique user needs of patients, providers, and lab professionals.

  • Networking: Build relationships with experienced design professionals, product managers, and other stakeholders within Exact Sciences.

  • Potential for Future Roles: A successful internship can lead to future internship opportunities or full-time entry-level positions within Exact Sciences' design or product teams.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For an intern, the primary growth path is learning and skill acquisition. The company's focus on innovation in healthcare suggests a fertile ground for developing specialized UX skills applicable to a critical industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "remote/onsite at Madison Endeavor campus," indicating a hybrid or primarily on-site work environment with flexibility to work remotely on occasion, but with a primary expectation of being present at the Madison campus.

Office Location(s): 5505 Endeavor Lane, Madison, WI (Exact Sciences Headquarters).

Workspace Context:

  • The work environment is likely collaborative and fast-paced, with opportunities to engage with diverse teams.

  • Access to industry-standard design tools and technology will be provided.

  • The campus environment may offer collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and resources to support design work and team interaction.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "remote/onsite" designation for an internship suggests that while some flexibility might exist, the core experience is intended to be in-person, allowing for direct mentorship and team integration, which is crucial for intern development.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Application review, potentially followed by a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

  • Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work. This is a critical step to evaluate design skills, process, and problem-solving abilities.

  • Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise may be given to assess design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply UX principles to a specific problem. This could involve creating wireframes, user flows, or a brief design concept.

  • Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, communication abilities, and alignment with company values. Questions will focus on how candidates approach challenges, work in teams, and handle ambiguity.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, final solution), and the outcome.

  • Highlight Impact: Even for academic projects, focus on the "why" and "what" – what problem did you solve, and what was the result or learning?

  • Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Include examples of work created in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or other relevant design tools.

  • Address Complexities: If possible, include a project that demonstrates how you tackled a complex problem or translated intricate requirements into a user-friendly design.

  • Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with digital experiences, customer journeys, and potentially healthcare-related applications if available.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss or apply design thinking methodologies.

  • Practice Problem Solving: Prepare to analyze a given problem, brainstorm solutions, and outline a design approach.

  • Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For an intern, the portfolio review and any design challenges will focus heavily on potential, process, and foundational skills rather than extensive professional experience. Demonstrating a strong learning aptitude and a structured approach to design is key.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for design and prototyping, used for creating wireframes, UI designs, and interactive prototypes.

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Applications like Photoshop and Illustrator likely used for visual asset creation and manipulation.

  • Prototyping Tools: Figma itself serves this purpose, but other tools might be integrated.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

  • Understanding of customer relationship management (CRM) concepts and workflow automation may be helpful in grasping the broader customer journey context, though direct use is unlikely.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is explicitly mentioned as a preferred qualification, making these essential tools to highlight in a resume and portfolio. A basic understanding of HTML/CSS is also a plus, suggesting an appreciation for technical feasibility.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Accountability: Taking ownership of design tasks and project contributions.

  • Innovation: Driving new ideas and creative solutions for customer experiences.

  • Integrity: Upholding ethical design practices and company standards.

  • Quality: Commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centered designs.

  • Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and fostering a welcoming environment.

  • Inclusion: Modeling inclusive behaviors and creating designs that are accessible and equitable.

Collaboration Style:

  • Highly collaborative, working closely with designers, product managers, marketers, and developers.

  • Emphasis on cross-functional partnership to ensure cohesive customer journeys.

  • Openness to feedback and iterative design processes.

  • Fostering a welcoming environment for creative thinking and collaborative solutioning.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company explicitly mentions fostering a welcoming environment and modeling inclusive behaviors. This suggests a culture that values diversity and psychological safety, important for creative collaboration.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Translating Ambiguity: Taking complex business and user needs and structuring them into clear design requirements and solutions.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and perspectives to arrive at a unified design vision.

  • Balancing Macro & Micro: Contributing to the overall UX vision while also focusing on detailed execution of specific design elements.

  • Industry Specifics: Understanding the unique user needs and regulatory landscape of the healthcare diagnostics industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX designers and CX professionals.

  • Practical Application: Applying design theory and tools to real-world projects with tangible business impact.

  • Industry Knowledge: Gaining insight into the healthcare technology sector.

  • Portfolio Building: Creating significant pieces for a professional design portfolio.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The internship is structured to provide significant learning opportunities, exposing the intern to complex challenges that are common in professional UX roles, particularly within a structured industry like healthcare.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Process: "Walk me through a project in your portfolio. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the outcome?" Focus on clearly articulating your steps from understanding the challenge to delivering a solution.

  • Problem Solving: "How would you approach designing a [specific feature or user flow] for [a particular user type, e.g., a lab technician]?" Be prepared to outline your thought process, research needs, and potential design solutions.

  • Collaboration: "Describe a time you worked with a team on a design project. What was your contribution, and how did you handle disagreements or differing opinions?" Highlight your ability to work constructively with others.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Motivation: "Why are you interested in Exact Sciences and this specific internship?" Research the company's mission, recent news, and values.

  • Fit: "How do you approach creating accessible and inclusive designs?" Demonstrate your understanding of these principles.

  • Learning: "What do you hope to learn during this internship?" Align your answer with the role's responsibilities and the company's focus.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select Strongest Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to create user-centered designs.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly explain the context, the problem you were trying to solve, your role and contributions, your design process, the challenges you faced, and the final outcome or learnings.

  • Showcase Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to illustrate your work.

  • Prepare for Questions: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, tool usage, and any trade-offs you made.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For an intern, interviewers will be looking for enthusiasm, a strong aptitude for learning, a solid understanding of core UX principles, and a structured approach to problem-solving and design. The ability to articulate one's process is paramount.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Intern position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your design process, ability to structure ambiguity, and experience with relevant tools (Figma, Adobe Suite). Emphasize any work related to user journeys or translating complex requirements.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your current degree program, relevant coursework, any prior design experience (even academic), and lists skills like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML/CSS, and design thinking methodologies. Highlight your authorization to work in the US.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and thought patterns. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and research Exact Sciences' mission and products to demonstrate genuine interest.

  • Company Research: Understand Exact Sciences' role in healthcare diagnostics, their commitment to changing lives, and their customer-centric approach. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate alignment with their values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. While comprehensive, candidates should verify all details directly with Exact Sciences during the application and interview process. Specific portfolio requirements or interview formats may vary.

Application Requirements

Candidates must currently be enrolled in a degree program related to Design, Marketing, or a related field and must have authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. Preferred qualifications include experience with UX design methods, tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and the ability to translate complex requirements into clear user experience deliverables.