Exploring Des Moines Through the DSM Intern Connection Program

Hello! My name is Helen Gould, and I am an MBA student graduating this spring from the University of South Dakota. Being from West Des Moines initially, I completed several internships in Greater Des Moines (DSM), however it wasn’t until last summer when I completed an internship at F&G in Des Moines that I was introduced to the DSM Intern Connection program through the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Throughout last summer I had the opportunity to attend a variety of different events offered as part of DSM Intern Connection that allowed me to learn and grow professionally. Being the naturally competitive person that I am, after learning there was a Community Leadership Certificate awarded to interns who attended a certain number of sessions, I was committed to attending as many as I could. Throughout the sessions I was able to network, learn and explore DSM!

Network

While attending the DSM Intern Connection events, I had the opportunity to interact with other interns as well as professionals in the region. I enjoyed learning about other intern’s roles and what they thought of the company they worked for. I loved finding common interests and similarities with interns from other companies. In addition to interacting with the other interns, I was able to learn from other professionals in DSM through the young professionals panel and executive luncheon. By networking I gained tips and tricks as well as a greater understanding of what it takes to be a successful young professional.

Learn

Each DSM Intern Connection session offers a unique topic for interns. One of my favorite events last year was the young professionals panel. At this event, I learned a lot about LinkedIn and how I could make myself marketable to future companies. Another session that was very beneficial was learning about benefits. This made me realize the importance of analyzing your benefits package before accepting a job.

Explore

Finally, DSM Intern Connection offers the opportunity for interns to explore areas of DSM they haven’t seen yet. I enjoyed exploring new locations and learning about different spots in DSM. One of my favorite spots we visited was the Des Moines Embassy Club located on one of the highest floors of the Ruan Center. It was so exciting to see the city from that angle and soak in the beauty Downtown DSM has to offer! I also enjoyed visiting Mainframe Studios and Principal Park.

In addition to these benefits, each session has dinner provided, which is a major plus for any intern! Overall, I had a great experience attending sessions. I would highly recommend interns attend these sessions in the future.

Learn more about DSM Intern Connection or reach out to Anne Lowder.

Job opportunities and career resources are abundant in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you're looking to find an internship, a job, develop professionally or grow as a student, we have the resources to help you thrive.