Intern Connect: Professional development and social events for West Michigan interns
To help make sure interns are seeing everything the region has to offer, Hello West Michigan hostsWest Michigan Intern Connect, a combination of events designed to teach area interns about West Michigan, its lifestyle, and exciting employers. The program averages 400 – 500 intern attendees each summer. Although manyWest Michigan companies host summer interns, some companies and organizations may be too small to host social events or professional development opportunities for their interns. Intern Connect events are opportunities for any and all interns inWest Michigan to come together.
For most workers in West Michigan, the summer months are prime time to exercise the “flex” in flexible schedules and take advantage of the short summer season. But if your company has summer interns, most of them are experiencing the first 40 hour workweek of their career. During this summer long interview, companies aren’t just evaluating the interns, the interns are alsoevaluating thecompanyand the region. Luckily for us, West Michigan puts her best foot forward in the summermonths. There’s a festival every weekend, restaurants pop open their umbrellas, the beach is always beckoning, and the sun sets long after happy hour concludes.
What’s on tap for Summer 2018?
Day in the Park Thursday, June 21 Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Day in the Park is a social event just for the fun of it. It’s an opportunity for interns to get outside, relax, and most importantly, meet their peers from other companies. There will be carnival games, attractions, and food trucks, all situated on a prime spot in Ah-Nab-Awen Park, along the Grand River overlooking the downtown skyline.
Summer Sendoff Tuesday, July 31 Grand Rapids Art Museum
At the end of the summer, we invite interns for our Summer Sendoff, so they can cement the connections they made with other interns and employers. It’s important for interns to have a good impression of West Michigan in case there is a job offer on the table from a local employer. By showing interns what it’s like to be a young professional in our region, we are more likely to retain that college graduate or attract a college graduate from outside of the region. Companies can be involved in several different ways. Gain some exposure for your employment brand by hosting a game at Day in the Park or sponsoring an attraction. Connect with students at the Summer Sendoff. If you don’t want to be involved at a company level, you can pay for your interns (either in part or in full) to attend Day in the Park or simply pass the word along to them and encourage them to attend. Learn more at wminternconnect.com or reach out to Hello West Michigan.
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INTERN CONNECT
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