Employers love interns; every summer brings a fresh crop of workers dedicated to learning more about their companies while plugging workforce gaps in every industry from aquaculture to healthcare, manufacturing to marketing. The bonus? Some of the best could be lured back for permanent positions. For Maine employers, successful internships are a magical mixture of recruitment, high-quality training and an investment in the future.
This week 500 new interns launched their summer work experiences with Maine-based employers statewide who are partners of the Maine Career Catalyst (MCC) program. Maine Career Catalyst. a program of Educate Maine, supports interns by offering a wide variety of networking, professional and career development, and social events that employers alone often don’t have the capacity to provide.
MCC program’s kickoff event will be at Bayside Bowl Monday, June 9. About 150 new interns, employers and community partners are expected for an evening of friendly competition and new connections. It’s just one of about two dozen opportunities throughout the summer for interns to meet each other and network with professionals.
“Maine must build and invest in creating a strong future workforce. Along with a strong education foundation, employers must create the on-the-job training programs necessary to build a robust talent pipeline,” said David Pease, senior vice president and director of Talent, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Bangor Savings Bank. “Internships are one of the best vehicles to keep Maine talent in Maine; and interest individuals from other states and countries who study in Maine to retain them to work in Maine.”
Along with social events like the one at Bayside Bowl, Maine interns in the MCC program will also have the opportunity to learn about dozens of Maine employers, the thriving industries that contribute to Maine’s diverse economy, and glean career-building tips in professional development seminars.
“The primary goal of the MCC program is to enhance interns’ perception that there are viable and interesting places to live and work in Maine after graduation, and to ensure that they feel supported by the personal and professional networks developed through the program to pursue those opportunities” said Hannah Greene, Manager of Workforce Partnerships at Educate Maine.
Maine Career Catalyst has been supporting summer internships for 8 years. To learn more, please visit: https://mainecareercatalyst.org or @mainecareercatalyst on Instagram and LinkedIn.
