Having a summer internship is a crucial part of the college experience. Not only does it give students on-the-job training in their intended career field, but it is also a great way to experience what it is like to have a professional career and be a part of the business community.
One way that the Flint & Genesee Group helps achieve this exposure for college students is through the Flintern program. The program is a five-week series developed to give students the opportunity to network, explore the community, and take part in professional development.
“We are so happy to bring Flinterns back with double the number of participants we had in 2022,” says Brianna Mosier, director of organizational development at the Flint & Genesee Group. “The program helps shape the experience that students have in our community and provides local employers with the opportunity to give their students a broader experience.”
During the kick-off for the third year of the program, 48 students from across the country who are interning in Flint and Genesee County gathered downtown for a day-long excursion. The day was jam-packed with activities, tours, trainings, and networking.
First, students gathered at 100k Ideas for some networking followed by a keynote by Eric Hultgren, director of social media and content marketing at MLive Media Group on “Building Your Personal Brand.” After the presentation, students climbed on two trolleys sponsored by Mass Transportation Authority Flint and headed to the Flint Institute of Arts where they went on a tour and met with Marissa Pierce, director of development at the institute.
In the afternoon, participants enjoyed lunch and more networking at the Flint Farmers’ Market before heading to Factory Two where they were able to get creative and make their own Flinterns swag. The experience not only gave students a glimpse of the area, but it was also an opportunity to further their connection to Flint.
“It was great to be able to meet people who are the heart of the community and make that connection with them,” says Joseph Johnson, who currently lives and Grand Blanc, attends school at the University of Michigan-Flint, and has been working in downtown Flint this summer. “I learned a lot about the city and the culture here that I didn’t know before.”
When asked if this experience would help make his decision to stay in the area, Johnson agreed that it would.
“Being able to tour the city and experience all it has to offer definitely changes my perspective,” says Johnson. “I helped shape my understanding of the community.”
As a talent retention program, Flinterns aims to mold the perception of the community for college students interning here so that they can see opportunities in their chosen fields in Flint & Genesee.
Participating employers include Genesee County Planning Commission, Crim Fitness Foundation, C.S. Mott Foundation, Genesee County Clerk, Genesee County Prosecutors Office, City of Flint, The Disability Network, Peckham, Inc., Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties, Genesee County Office of the Public Defender, Voices for Children Advocacy Center, Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, Communities First, Inc., 100K Ideas, Rowe Professional Services, Inc., Michigan State University Flint Initiative Program, and the Flint & Genesee Group.
Businesses interested in participating in future Flintern programs can contact Brianna Mosier at (810) 600-1451 or email .