When Mirella Ortiz attended an internship fair at the University of Illinois (UIC), she was looking for an opportunity to learn. Monarch Landing senior living community in Naperville, Illinois, provided the perfect internship experience and became the start of a career she hopes to continue building.
Today, Ortiz is an HR assistant at Monarch Landing, helping to welcome new employees, drawing on the experience she gained as a senior management summer intern.
Her journey from intern to server and receptionist to HR assistant reflects what she appreciates about the senior living community: the opportunity to discover her strengths, develop her talents and build a career.
“I always want to grow and learn more and continue to move up,” Ortiz said.
An Early Connection to Senior Living
A resident of Aurora, Ortiz developed an interest in senior living as a teenager, working as a receptionist and server at senior living communities. She enjoyed interacting with residents and brightening their days.
While studying communications with a minor in human resources management at UIC, she was offered a senior management summer internship at Monarch Landing, an opportunity to explore every aspect of the community.
During the internship, she rotated through departments including human resources, sales, food and beverage, healthcare, life enrichment and administration.
“I loved learning how everything functions and what goes into every department,” she said.
The experience broadened her understanding of senior living and reinforced her appreciation for the people and the lifestyle at Monarch Landing.
“It’s amazing,” she said of the community’s resident experience. “They’re really living the life here.”
She also noticed that many team members had built long careers at Monarch Landing, demonstrating the possibilities available to employees.
“When I met the team at Monarch Landing, they were clearly a great community,” she said. “I liked that they wanted to fit my degree and my experience with opportunities they might have.”
From Intern to HR Assistant
After her internship, Ortiz took a job at a dental office while continuing her education. But she hoped to return to Monarch Landing. She eventually rejoined the team as a server and later also working part time as a receptionist.
When an HR assistant position opened, she was still in school. The Monarch Landing team encouraged her to pursue the role and worked with her schedule so she could balance work while completing her education.
Ortiz said she appreciated the support and the sense of inclusion she experienced. She also saw the team come together and communicate effectively during a transition in human resources leadership.
Today, one of her favorite parts of her job is welcoming new employees.
“I get to be the first person to work one on one with new employees, which I enjoy,” she said.
A Culture of Opportunity
Ortiz’s career progression is part of a broader pattern at Monarch Landing. Other team members have advanced from internships, serving positions and assistant roles into leadership, including associate executive director, administrator and director of marketing.
Seeing those career paths has reinforced her belief that there are opportunities for people who want to learn and take on new challenges.
For Ortiz, the senior living community’s willingness to recognize individual strengths and work with employees’ goals has made a difference in her own career.
“Everything has fallen into place,” she said.
Still Learning, Still Growing
Ortiz is excited to continue developing her skills and exploring what comes next.
“My goal is always to grow and learn more and continue to move up,” she said.
She first arrived at Monarch Landing as a college student looking for an opportunity to learn about senior living. Now, she helps welcome new employees to the community while building a career of her own.
Monarch Landing
Monarch Landing is a Life Plan Community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named “one of America’s best places to live and retire” by Modern Maturity, and “the best city for early retirement” by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant lifestyle for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers memory supported assisted living, respite care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.
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Media Contact: Wendy Foster | [email protected]