Internships at Optum. If you want an intern experience that will dramatically shape your career, consider a company that's dramatically shaping our entire health care system. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of companies, is a leading health services and innovation company dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 94,000 people collaborating worldwide, Optum combines people, technology, data and action to improve the delivery, quality and efficiency of health care. Our internship opportunities provide a view of a rapidly evolving, incredibly challenging marketplace of ideas, products and services. Here, you'll work with some of the smartest people in the business on assignments that matter. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
At UHG, we've built focused businesses organized around one giant objective: making healthcare work better for everyone. Through our two business platforms, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Optum, we strive to improve the healthcare system and advance the health and well-being of individuals and communities. This includes the entire spectrum of healthcare participants: individual consumers, employers, commercial payers, intermediaries, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and more.
For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges. It's a culture of optimism that's unlike any place you've ever worked. Incredible ideas in one incredible company.
Are you ready?
The UnitedHealth Group Leadership Experience (ULE) provides select participants pursuing advanced degrees with superior, cohort-based exposure, experiences, and development opportunities through best-in-class intern and full-time programs, specifically designed to develop the next generation of leaders, requiring highly motivated, passionate individuals with bright ideas and the will to lead.
The ULE Internship is ten weeks long and delivered remotely, with the option to travel. Projects will vary by business and are scoped and assigned closer to Internship start. We offer full-time placement opportunities post-graduation, based on performance. The start date is June 8, 2027
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- During your ULE internship experience, you will:
- Lead high-priority work that supports one of our core businesses
- Gain exposure to and knowledge of the healthcare industry, Enterprise-wide businesses, functions, strategies, and senior leaders
- Develop relationships and networks
- Receive hands-on training and support
- Leverage business acumen and work experience to drive transformation
- Learn from and present to executives
- Contribute to fun and engaging cohorts
- Lay the groundwork for a meaningful and impactful career at UHG
Examples of Intern projects:
- Build a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for UHG's Type-2 diabetes program for direct-to-consumer, risk-bearing entity (ACO), multi-payer, Medicare, and / or Medicaid channels
- Complete a market sizing analysis, including MVP definition and product / capability requirements for a new product in service of Optum's Health organizations and consumers
- Refine and implement the digital services plan for one of Optum's CDOs via the identification and strategic development of digital health initiatives and capabilities
- Comprehensive health equity strategy that reduces geographic health disparities and addresses specific populations' (ex. behavioral health, individuals of childbearing age) outcomes
- Market expansion strategy driven by data focused on geographical areas coupled with demographic information to make strategic decisions on smart growth through expansion, implementation and system readiness
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree
- Currently pursuing an MBA or other relevant graduate degree with a target graduation date no later than July 2028
- 5+ years of professional work experience
- Eligible to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship, CPT/OPT now or in the future, for employment-based work authorization (F-1 students with practical training and candidates requiring H-1Bs, TNs, etc. will not be considered)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Outstanding academic achievement
- Consulting and/or healthcare experience and/or involvement with consulting/healthcare clubs
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills at all levels
- Practiced project management and navigating competing priorities
- Demonstrated ability to articulate and solve complex problems through strategic, analytical and creating thinking
- Adaptable and comfortable in ambiguity and high-impact situations
- High emotional intelligence and capacity to GSD (get stuff done)
- Champion of change and customer orientation
- Learning/growth oriented
- Aligned to UHG's values of Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $77,000 to $132,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Skills Required
- Undergraduate degree
- Currently pursuing an MBA or other relevant graduate degree with a target graduation date no later than July 2028
- 5+ years of professional work experience
- Eligible to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship (CPT/OPT acceptable now or in the future); candidates requiring H-1B, TN, etc. will not be considered
- Pass a pre-employment drug test
- Outstanding academic achievement
- Consulting and/or healthcare experience and/or involvement with consulting/healthcare clubs
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills at all levels
- Practiced project management and ability to navigate competing priorities
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems through strategic, analytical and creative thinking
- Adaptable and comfortable in ambiguity and high-impact situations
- High emotional intelligence and ability to get things done
- Customer orientation and champion of change
- Learning/growth oriented and aligned to UHG values
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers copay and HSA medical options with dental, vision, company‑paid life and disability, and free or low‑cost virtual visits. Feedback suggests the offering is comprehensive and competitive on paper.
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Parental & Family Support — Time off and family supports include PTO, eight paid holidays plus a floating day, six weeks paid parental leave, up to two weeks paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance up to $10,000. Feedback suggests these resources are meaningful for caregivers and family needs.
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Retirement Support — Savings programs include a 401(k) with employer match (after one year, vesting after two) and a 10%‑discount Employee Stock Purchase Plan. These programs bolster long‑term financial security when combined with other savings resources.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.