InternOKC brings together the city's top young professionals
.jpg)
InternOKC returns this summer, bringing together the area’s top young professionals for networking and professional development.
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber event lends a hand to local industries by taking interns through a 3-part program, enhancing professional and connection skills. While creating a stronger workforce overall for the future, InternOKC promotes the idea of advancing your career in Oklahoma City rather than leaving in hopes of attaining your desired outcome.
“This year’s InternOKC is all about three core competencies that are essential for new talent to develop as they enter the workforce here in Oklahoma City,” said Lee Copeland, Director of Talent Business and Growth for Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “Over our three sessions we’re digging into these three competencies to expose participants to challenging presenters that will be empowering them with vital content that will help them grow as young professionals.”
The first installment of the three-part event will take place on June 14 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt will give a presentation on the positive trajectory of the city, and how personal growth and civic involvement go together. This session will also feature a group of younger professionals who touch on personal stories that led to developing habits and practices for personal and professional growth: Perrin Duncan, Arnall Family Foundation; Farhad Hameed, The Boeing Company; Crystal Garcia, Strata Leadership; Roderick Wright, Public Strategies; and Liz Zaleski, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
Following a two-week hiatus, a second session will bring J.D. Baker of Cortado Ventures and Jessica Martinez-Brooks of Metro Technology Centers to speak on forming relationships that will not only help build your career but have a positive impact on the community.
J.D. Baker attends InternOKC as an intern in 2017.
“Interns will be challenged to understand how to learn from and grow through professional relationships as a necessary component of their vocational journey,” Copeland said.
This session will be held on June 28 at the Champion Convention Center on the city’s southside.
The final installment of the three-part series, on July 12, will be held at the First Americans Museum near the Oklahoma River, slightly southeast of downtown. This session will speak to building a mindset based on resiliency and how solving problems can make a positive impact on your career. The session will feature Ariel Moore of Oklahoma State University-OKC, as well as Miss Oklahoma 2021, Ashleigh Robinson.
As a previous attendee herself, Robinson offered her advice to upcoming interns:
“Be more concerned with the people around you than the trajectory of your career. It's easy to feel like you need to win a race of achievement at a young age, but the truly impactful people in communities have a great team working with them. Ask questions, be honest, and give yourself grace.”
Although the event pulls in new prospects each year, InternOKC has garnered a list of loyal company participants that seem to take part in the event annually.
“My Inasmuch Fellowship sponsored my attendance. I was placed at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits as an intern during my fellowship. I gained so much from that opportunity and know my growth in the program was in part by InternOKC,” Robinson told the Chamber.
Inasmuch Foundation, a philanthropy established by Edith Gaylord that focuses on human services, community, journalism, and education, has their interns attend the event year after year.
“I believe this program allows our interns to create professional connections, develop leadership skills, and experience the rich history and bright future of Oklahoma City. Encouraging the next generation of leaders to develop a love and passion for our community only increases the chance they will choose to live and work in Oklahoma City for years to come,” Alta Price, Program Officer with Inasmuch Foundation told the Chamber.
To register your interns for InternOKC, visit internokc.com. The registration fee per intern is $150 for Chamber members or $250 for nonmembers.
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
SUBSCRIBE