While many people look forward to summer as a season of barbecues and poolside relaxation, those in HR and recruiting eagerly anticipate an entirely different season: intern season. For communities around the country, it’s a time of opportunity to welcome fresh perspectives and discover future business leaders who can support the growing market’s workforce needs.
Intern season is more than just filling roles; it’s also about creating a pathway to lasting careers. As experienced professionals pass the torch to the next generation, it is essential to give early career talent a glimpse of what a fulfilling career—a fulfilling life—can look like.
For those utilizing the summer internship pathway as a means to attract talent to their businesses, it is essential that the attraction effort not stop at the business’ front door. To attract outside talent to consider moving for full-time roles, part of the equation must focus on building ties and fostering a sense of fondness for the community to which they would be relocating.
The TeamKC summer intern program is designed to do just that, creating an immersive Kansas City experience for more than 1,000 interns from 34 companies in 2024 alone. Through local partnerships, the program elevates companies’ robust internship programs to the next level with tours, giveaways, and networking opportunities, helping interns feel connected to the business community and the heart of Kansas City. This program offers a case study worthy of emulation for businesses and economic development groups in metropolitan areas seeking to expand their talent pipeline.
Welcome to the Community
To introduce interns to the KC region, TeamKC leverages its talent-facing brand, “KC Heartland.” This brand, centered around the market’s 100-plus-year affinity to the iconic KC heart, invites interns to envision their future in Kansas City.
Throughout the summer, TeamKC presents “KC 101” sessions to intern classes of all sizes —ranging from 2 to 300-plus—covering topics such as housing, the food scene, local events, and professional development. These sessions provide interns with an authentic glimpse into life and career possibilities in KC, setting the stage for an unforgettable summer.
Staying connected after these sessions is equally important. In 2024, 429 interns signed up for access to the KC Intern “Bucket List” and weekly KC Heartland e-mails, which were filled with local events and insider tips. The latter achieved a 58 percent open rate. Recognizing that text messaging resonates even more with this generation—78 percent of interns in the program indicated that it is their preferred method over e-mail and social media—TeamKC continuously adapts its communication to meet them where they are most engaged.
Immersing Interns in Local Culture
You’ve got the interns’ ears—now what? It’s time to make them feel at home in your community.
TeamKC’s strategic partnerships play a pivotal role in the program’s success. Companies trust the organization to showcase Kansas City and elevate their interns’ summer, while local partners graciously share their spaces, products, and services with the interns. This trust and collaboration are essential to create a seamless experience for interns.
Through these partnerships during the 2024 season, interns received access to more than 50 giveaways, offering experiences that provided a unique glimpse into KC’s culture. From world-class performances at Starlight Theatre to watching matches at the first stadium in the world designed for a women’s professional sports team, CPKC Stadium; from exclusive tours at Boulevard Brewing to discounts at KC-focused retailers Made in KC and 3DHQ, these interactions help interns feel welcomed, connected, and valued by the broader KC community, enhancing their sense of belonging.
Building Bonds Among Peers
Early career talent isn’t just interested in hearing about what makes a community great— they want to engage in and shape it actively. Connecting interns fosters a supportive network as they begin their professional journeys.
To cultivate these connections across the region, the TeamKC intern program offers a range of shared experiences and networking opportunities throughout the summer. The always-popular “Intern Night at the K” brought together more than 400 interns in 2024, offering a chance to connect while enjoying a Kansas City Royals baseball game.
These peer relationships create social capital. When interns can rely on their networks, they navigate their careers more effectively and achieve success more swiftly. By tying these connections to the community, the organization helps to ensure that interns see Kansas City as the ideal place to launch their careers after graduation.
Continuously Adapt for Maximum Impact
With more than a decade of experience in its internship program, TeamKC continually adapts. The organization solicits feedback from interns and participating companies every year, refining the program to meet growing demand and ensure each season feels fresh.
In 2024, TeamKC launched a pilot event designed to support smaller intern teams by bringing together 125 interns from 10 companies for a unique KC 101 presentation. Held at Children’s Mercy Park, home of KC’s men’s professional soccer club, Sporting Kansas City, the event provided interns with exclusive access to spaces and people they might not otherwise encounter. This collaborative approach not only maximized resources but also delivered an unforgettable experience, maximizing impact for these companies with smaller intern classes.
Team KC’s post-summer survey revealed that 100 percent of interns recommended the program, and 82 percent felt it helped them explore the KC region in ways they would not have otherwise. Even local Kansas Citians found value in the 2024 program, with one intern noting, “The communication was always clear and easy to navigate. I learned so much about the city even though I grew up here.”
Key Takeaways for Cultivating an Intern’s Sense of Belonging
Building a strong, early career talent pipeline isn’t just about offering internships—it’s about creating an experience that emphasizes engagement, collaboration, and exploration. It’s about helping people find their professional path, and often, their home.
For regions and organizations looking to build their talent pipeline in today’s tightening job market, here are some key takeaways:
- Promote exploration: Encourage interns, especially those from out of town, to explore the local area. By helping them discover what makes the community special, you not only enhance their experience but also increase the likelihood that they will consider the region for future opportunities.
- Communicate effectively: Meet interns where they are by communicating through their preferred channels. Keep them engaged and excited about the experience.
- Foster collaboration: Partner with local businesses and organizations to provide interns with unique experiences and opportunities for meaningful connections. These partnerships help interns build meaningful relationships and a sense of community.
- Gather feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from interns to continually improve the program. This enhances the intern experience and shows a commitment to meeting their evolving needs.
Creating a sense of belonging inspires early career talent to envision both your company and your city as a place they can truly call home. Ultimately, people choose where they want to be based on their connections, and fostering those bonds now can shape a lasting, loyal workforce community for the future.
