Imani Parker is a Business Management Associate at General Mills originally from Indianapolis, IN. She lives in the Uptown neighborhood in Minneapolis.
What surprised you most about the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region?
I have been most surprised by the amount of activity in the Twin Cities. There is always something happening in the Twin Cities— events to check out, restaurants to try, and nearby hiking grounds are only a few examples of what the Twin Cities have to offer. There is always an adventure to be had in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities is also home to a lot of local artistry and entrepreneurship, and the amount of support for local culture is amazing!
Please share any highlights you experienced living and working in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region (specifically during your summer internship)?
Working in the Twin Cities as an intern gave me a great opportunity to expand my network. Through corporate network events and coffee chats, I was able to interact with many young professionals in the Twin Cities. Everyone has always been nice, welcoming, and open to sharing their experiences in the Twin Cities and career advice. On the weekends during my summer internship, I loved going to the Mill City Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, and I spent a lot of time relaxing on the beaches of Lake Calhoun area. My intern peers and I made the most of our summer by going to Twins Games, participating in a Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament, boating on Lake Minnetonka, spending the day at Valley Fair, and swimming in the quarries in St. Cloud.
Describe any meaningful experiences you had during your internship.
I loved my internship with General Mills, because I had the opportunity to do actual work that would contribute to the efforts of the full-time employees. During my internship, I had the opportunity to create two tools that the teams were still using when I rejoined the team full-time the following summer. I also had a chance to present my intern projects to the Sales Senior Leadership Team at General Mills!
What was it about the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region that made you want to relocate here?
After getting a job offer from General Mills, my decision to relocate to the Twin Cities was really easy. I wanted to start my professional career at a great company with a strong brand portfolio in a growing city.
What advice do you have for future interns coming to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region?
My number one piece of advice would be this: dive right in. If you have a Facebook, look for events happening in the Twin Cities that align with your interests. If you have an Instagram, look at Minnesota based accounts that promote events within the Twin Cities, then have the courage to go.
Photo by Jenny Salita on Flickr
Intern to Intern is a continuing series of posts by and for those interning in the MSP area. Whether you’re from here or visiting for the summer we want you to feel at home. More resources for interns »