2027 Summer Product Owner Intern

About the role

WoodmenLife is seeking a Product Owner Intern for the Summer 2027 term. In this role you will support the Business Technology and Strategic Initiatives divisions by assisting with administrative functions and gaining exposure to the planning, execution, and evaluation stages of various work projects. The 10‑week Summer Internship Program is designed to foster a dynamic, innovative environment where interns contribute value‑added work, receive real‑world experience and mentorship, and help strengthen the talent pipeline. As a member of the WoodmenLife family you will join an organization with over 135 years of service, a not‑for‑profit life insurance company dedicated to protecting families’ financial futures and giving back to local communities.

Responsibilities

• Gain broad exposure to the WoodmenLife organization by meeting weekly with the Internship Cohort, collectively with Executive Leadership, and one‑on‑one with division leaders.
• Summarize and present a capstone presentation of the internship experience, including project accomplishments, skill development, and key learnings.
• Serve as a key member of the Agile team, acting as the business owner or customer proxy to define and prioritize user stories in the team backlog.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure backlog items reflect business needs and deliver maximum value to end users.
• Take a leading role in ensuring user stories meet the Definition of Done and align with strategic objectives.
• Act as a liaison between the development team and business units to translate product features and user requirements into actionable stories.
• Apply strong analytical and logical thinking to break down larger epics into smaller, valuable stories deliverable within Agile iterations.
• Create clear, concise, and testable user stories that satisfy the INVEST criteria (independent, negotiable, valuable, estimable, small, testable).
• Participate in Agile development processes, including sprint planning, stand‑ups, and retrospectives, to deliver high‑quality software in a collaborative environment.

Requirements

• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in college with a major in Business Administration, Project Management, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Ability to work 38.75 hours per week.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively while working collaboratively.
• Proficient computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to provide seamless, trustworthy, attentive, and resourceful (S.T.A.R.) customer service.
• Passion for making an impact in local communities.

Skills

• Analytical and logical thinking – ability to break down complex problems and derive actionable insights.
• Communication – clearly and promptly shares information, actively listens, delivers concise verbal and written communication.
• Decision quality – makes sound decisions by applying critical thinking, evaluating information, and anticipating outcomes.
• Innovation – generates and shares creative ideas, embraces new perspectives, seeks opportunities to improve processes, products, or outcomes.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Life insurance.
• Engaging activities and skill development with the intern cohort.
• Real‑world experience and mentorship to prepare for a meaningful career.
• Paid volunteer events to make an impact in the community.
• Flexible hybrid work environment – Home Office closes at noon on Fridays.

Schedule

• Expected commitment: 38.75 hours per week.
• Hybrid work arrangement (remote and on‑site).
• Home Office closes at noon on Fridays.