Minneapolis-Saint Paul employers work together to help interns “Discover MSP”
Every summer, the Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region (MSP) proudly welcomes thousands of interns from nearby schools and across the country. These interns help fuel innovation at organizations both small and large, across a diverse range of industries. For interns, the summer can be an incredible opportunity to build connections not only within one organization but with peers and colleagues across an entire community and local economy.
Five years ago, a group of MSP-based employers came together with an idea to host a one-of-a-kind event that would better connect hundreds of these interns to each other and the MSP region, while highlighting many of the leaders, attributes, and professional development opportunities that make this region special. Their hope was interns would better understand why MSP is a great place to launch a career, influencing their decision to live and work here after graduation. But wherever these interns choose to take their talents, the event is designed to help them invest in their future.
Now, six years in, the annual “Discover MSP” event has welcomed and connected thousands of interns at dozens of the region’s leading employers. The sixth annual Discover MSP event marked a return to in-person programming at the Target Center, while marking the series’ first-ever hybrid celebration with interns tuning in from across the country. More than 700 interns from 25 companies participated in the forum, including interns from Be The Match, Bremer Bank, Ecolab, General Mills, Inspire Sleep, Land O’ Lakes, Medtronic, Pohlad Companies, Polaris Industries, Schwan’s Company, Sleep Number, Target, Thomson Reuters, Thrivent, Xcel Energy, 3M and more.
The jam-packed three-hour program included insights, advice and training from 17 speakers, panelists, and workshop facilitators, as well as the opportunity to network and participate in a live volunteering event on the Target Center floor coordinated by HandsOn Twin Cities. Interns were welcomed by the Mayors of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and the CEO of GREATER MSP, while hearing from executives from corporations, startups, non-profits, education and more.
Breakout sessions provided interns with an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and build skills like networking, public speaking and financial planning. Others had a chance to dive in and virtually tour the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.
For the first time, the event also featured the ConnextMSP Network Lounge, where more than 120 interns made connections in a space designed by and for people of color. Young people registered to join the ConnextMSP Talent Network, and online community designed for early-career professionals of color and enjoyed an afternoon of speakers and networking.
Interns were also encouraged to stay connected by using the 2022 Discover MSP Intern Directory, now free and available for download. This guide is a new resource filled with activities and links to the region’s most popular amenities and cultural organizations, stories from local and a Spotify playlist of MSP artists and more.