INternHC aims to connect interns with career options

Westfield Washington Township, in partnership with Invest Hamilton County and the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, is launching the Hamilton County Intern Collaborative, also known as INternHC, a new workforce initiative designed to attract, connect, and retain talent across Hamilton County.

INternHC was created to help recent high school graduates and current college interns build meaningful connections with peers, local employers, and the community. Through career-focused programming and place-based experiences, the initiative aims to encourage emerging talent to live, work, and thrive in Hamilton County long-term.

“Creating opportunities for students to connect with local businesses and the broader community is an investment in the future of our workforce,” Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills said. “We are proud to launch this initiative here in Westfield.”

INternHC will hold a kickoff from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 4 at Shamrock Station, 333 W. Hoover St., Westfield, for recent Hamilton County high school graduates, ages 18 and older, who completed an internship during the school year, as well as current college interns who live and/or work in Hamilton County.

Attendees can expect networking opportunities with peers and young professionals, connections to future internship opportunities throughout Hamilton County, additional career readiness resources, activities, and more.

“Investing in workforce development means creating intentional opportunities for students and emerging professionals to connect, grow, and build their future right here in Hamilton County,” Westfield Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Courtney Albright said. “By helping interns gain real-world meaningful experience and relationships within our business community, we are strengthening the talent pipeline and positioning our region for long-term economic success.”

This year’s event lays the groundwork for the full-scale INternHC program, expected to launch next summer, which will include a full season of programming focused on career development, professional networking, community engagement, and showcasing the unique opportunities Hamilton County offers.

“Workforce development doesn’t happen in a silo but rather when employers, educators, and community partners align around a shared goal. INternHC is a perfect example of that alignment in action,” Invest Hamilton County President and CEO Mike Thibideau said. “By connecting interns and recent graduates with local opportunities and each other, we’re building the kind of community ties that turn a summer job into a career and a career into a lifetime in Hamilton County.

Registration for the event will open later this summer. For more information, visit internhc.com.

Employers interested in supporting the initiative and/or participating in the event are encouraged to complete this interest form at tinyurl.com/internhc-biz26.