Governor’s Public Service Summer Interns Recap
The Governor's Public Service Summer Internship Program has been an incredible opportunity for young professionals to gain valuable experience in various fields of local government. This year, the program had nearly 150 interns working across 21 different agencies at the central office in Downtown Indianapolis and regional offices throughout the state. The interns were able to work on a variety of projects and initiatives, gaining hands-on experience in fields such as public health, transportation, human resources, education and more.
The program has been a huge success, providing interns with the chance to make a real impact in their communities while also learning from experienced professionals. The Governor's Public Service Summer Internship Program is a great example of how we can support the next generation of leaders and professionals, helping them to grow and thrive in their careers.
Throughout the summer, interns had many engagement events where they could meet executive leaders throughout the State government, learn about different agencies and participate in professional development all while getting to know how state government works and getting to network with professionals in their fields as well as other interns in their cohort.
Interns had the opportunity to expand their knowledge and network through these events. They provided a platform for the interns to connect with executive leaders in State government, gain insight into the workings of various agencies and take part in professional development.
The interns were able to learn more about how state government functions and understand the various roles and responsibilities that different agencies have in serving the citizens of the state. They were also able to interact with individuals in their field and other members of their intern group, which helped them expand their professional network. This allowed them to bond with their fellow interns and form lasting relationships that will be beneficial to them in their future careers.
Overall, the engagement events were an excellent opportunity for the interns to learn, grow and network. They provided valuable insights into the workings of state government and helped the interns gain a broader perspective of their field. The interns will no doubt carry these experiences with them throughout their careers and apply the lessons they learned to make a positive impact in their communities.
Joseph Pinnell speaking to interns during their State House visit.
We started this summer with a visit to the Indiana State House where interns met Joseph Pinnell, the Deputy Chief & Executive Director of Workforce Engagement. During the event, Pinnell discussed his role for the state and emphasized the significance of equity, inclusion and opportunity. The purpose of this event was to provide interns with a chance to network with peers from various agencies and connect with Indiana State House employees who are passionate about their work.
Interns Volunteering at the White River State Park
After visiting the State House, the interns had the opportunity to venture out of the office and contribute to their community by volunteering at White River State Park. Their task was to clean up the Urban Wilderness Trail, a large sanctuary covering over 250 acres located in the center of downtown Indianapolis. This experience allowed the interns to bond and work together as a team.
Interns with Governor Holcomb at the Meet and Greet.
Following their volunteering opportunity, the interns had the chance to meet Governor Eric J. Holcomb in a "meet and greet" event moderated by INSPD Director, Matthew Brown. During this exciting opportunity, Governor Holcomb answered the interns' questions and emphasized the importance of having mentors in life. He also shared valuable advice based on his experiences in public service and his journey to his current position, which was truly inspiring. After the event, Governor Holcomb took photos with the interns and even had individual conversations with some of them.
After the meet and greet, interns participated in a two-part agency leader panel which covered a range of topics such as legal, finance, operations, tech, STEM, and communications. Agency representatives from various fields across state government spoke about what motivates their passion for public service, their career beginnings and gave career advice. The panelists also answered any questions the interns had. INSPD Director Matthew Brown moderated the panels as well.
Interns with Lt. Governor Crouch
At the following event, interns were able to attend a meet and greet with Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. During her speech, Lt. Governor Crouch shared some valuable advice with the interns. She emphasized the significance of discovering one's passion and shared her own passion projects, which revolve around mental health and addiction awareness. Additionally, she shared her personal experience on this topic.
Interns at various stations during the Resume and Professional Development event.
Lastly, INSPD’s Talent Acquisition Talent Acquisition team organized a workshop for interns that focused on resume building and professional development. At the event, interns had the chance to visit various stations that provided valuable insights into interviewing techniques, such as how to handle difficult questions. Other stations included reviewing your online presence, resume critique, refining your elevator pitch, headshots, and tips on using LinkedIn effectively.
Throughout the summer, interns from all agencies engaged in a diverse range of projects. These projects ranged from legal research to teaching children about recycling to event planning. The interns' contributions made a considerable impact on their respective agencies and furthered progress throughout Indiana. Interns were able to acquire practical knowledge, improve their time management abilities, expand their portfolio, understand the significance of state government, and learn about the workforce. We consider this experience to be extremely valuable, and our hope is that all interns will depart from this internship with the essential skills to achieve success. Thank you for a great summer 2023 interns!
Story by Rogel Cuevas-Portilla, Indiana State Personnel Department