Intern Newsletter - 7/2

Intern Newsletter Header 2019
ALP

Next Tuesday, July 9, interns will have the opportunity to connect with various government agency leaders and develop professional skills by learning first-hand about career growth within state government.

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During the one-hour panel session, five panelists will answer questions submitted by interns. Please read the panelists' bios provided to better develop specific questions. Questions can be submitted via the link below.

Submit your questions on the state interns group on Yammer.

Torres

Lori Torres

Indiana Inspector General

Lori A. Torres was appointed Inspector General by Governor Eric Holcomb effective January 9, 2017. She was a key member of the senior leadership team at the Indiana Department of Transportation immediately prior to her appointment, serving as General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner. She previously served as the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor for six years under Governor Mitch Daniels. (https://www.in.gov/ig/2784.htm)

darshan

Darshan Shah

Chief Data Officer,
Management Performance Hub

“MPH provides analytics solutions tailored to address complex management and policy questions enabling improved outcomes for Hoosiers.” (https://www.in.gov/mph/) As Darshan details on LinkedIn, "MPH is nationally renowned as the leading organization for transforming state government through the use of data, analytics, BI, and consulting. MPH's mission is to improve efficiencies and effectiveness across state government while developing data-informed decision making to improve policy outcomes. By working with state agencies and other partners, MPH is able to utilize world-class data science and analytics capabilities to solve the largest problems that many Hoosiers face."

Lacy

Peter Lacy 

Commissioner,
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Commissioner Lacy leads agency initiatives to provide driver and vehicle services in a timely and accurate manner. (https://www.in.gov/bmv/2782.htm

Luke Bosso 

Senior Operations Director,
Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb

Before serving as Senior Operations Director at the Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Luke Bosso was Deputy Chief of Staff for Indiana Department of Child Services.

Milo

Blair Milo 

Secretary of Career Connections and Talent

Blair Milo, former mayor of LaPorte, Indiana, now serves as Secretary of Career Connections and Talent. Secretary Milo served in the U.S. Navy for more than five years prior to her being elected to the LaPorte mayoral position in 2011.


Gov Speech

Governor talks tech, role of young people in state government

More than 100 Governor’s Summer Interns attended a speech by Gov. Eric Holcomb June 27.

Among other encouraging topics, the governor discussed diversity within state government and what younger citizens can do to make a difference in Indiana.

Governor

“Your voice, your engagement and sharing -that perspective is not welcomed; it’s needed,” Gov. Holcomb said, regarding the importance of young people working in state and local government.
Holcomb also discussed Indiana’s achievements, as well as the state’s international reputation. He acknowledged state schools such as Purdue University and private institutions like Notre Dame and the effect they have on the Hoosier population -- and the state’s reputation.

“Indiana’s good schools and low cost of property are very attractive for people who want to buy 10 acres [of land],” the governor said of attracting people from other nations to live and work in Indiana.
Holcomb discussed some challenges he has faced in his career within Indiana’s government, including his work helping the state reach a strong financial point in the 2000s.

He also touched on changes in technology that, overall, have had a positive impact on the state.

Holcomb said that advances in technology have played a role in increasing the visibility of lawmakers and agencies within state government. He said government transparency has been enhanced due to the rise of social media, which has “increased citizens’ expectations” of their state’s government. The governor cited this as an adjustment, though he said it’s something that has led to advancements and is a factor that helps attract more employees to state agencies.

Gov Speech

Interns who had the opportunity to speak with the governor are working this summer for state agencies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of Correction, State Personnel Department, and the Department of Education.


McCormicks Creek

Join your fellow summer interns on Saturday, July 13 for a fun day at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Hiking, swimming, and a pitch-in lunch will fill the afternoon and provide a chance to meet and connect with other interns. Family, friends, and supervisors are invited! The Department of Natural Resources will be presenting an animal show reserved for interns at 11 a.m.

Click here to register for this event

Prices: $7 entry fee (in-state license plates), $8 entry fee (out-of-state license plates), $3 all-day pool access.
Note: Entry fees are per vehicle, NOT per person.

McCormick's Creek offers more than ten miles of hiking trails, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a recreation center, among other activities. Visit the park website for more information.


IST


Taking Initiative

by Michelle Glazer & Tyler Glander

Initiative demonstrates a sense of self-drive, self-awareness, insight, and personal motivation. By taking initiative in your internship, you demonstrate your interest in the organization and the value you bring to the position. The habit of taking initiative strengthens your personal brand and can help you identify different opportunities that you can capitalize on. 

Examples of taking initiative include: 

  • Asking for additional projects and sharing improvements for a current process.
  • Keeping notes on what would make the process smoother the next time around.
  • Thinking about new projects that you could work on to improve the organization.
  • Utilizing your strengths and skillset.
  • Volunteering at events that your organization runs.
  • Staying organized and utilizing time management skills.
  • Sharing your ideas: there are multiple ways to communicate.
  • Engaging in meaningful conversations with your supervisor and coworkers.
  • Sending emails with ideas.
  • Speaking up in meetings if appropriate.
  • Asking questions.
  • Showing you're engaged and have a desire to understand.

By taking initiative, you can challenge yourself, build a stronger relationship with your supervisors, and bring new ideas to your department. With your career just beginning, showing initiative is a great way to grow while demonstrating your skills, value, and dedication to your position. 


Upcoming Events - Full List

Here's the list of upcoming intern events and workshops, along with the registration links. Mark your calendars and make the most of these opportunities! 

July 2, 2019


Follow the State of Indiana Interns Instagram page for updates! 

IG

Intern Yammer Group Launched

Yammer is a social networking site used by state of Indiana employees for communication within agencies. A group for state interns has been created and will serve as a method of communication between interns and to inform interns of important events and information.

Interns should already be in the Yammer group, and the link can be found in Yammer notification emails. If there are any questions or issues, please contact Lauryn at ldenney@spd.in.gov.


Indians Game Graphic

On Friday, July 19, interns are invited to come out to Victory Field after work for the Indianapolis Indians vs. Dunham Bulls game. We will meet in Robert D. Orr Plaza and walk over to the field, so there's no need to worry about moving your car - just stay parked in an IGC garage.

Tickets are $7 for the lawn and $9 for bleachers. These prices are WITH the State of Indiana Employee discount. We will be paying individually. Interns will have a specific section of the lawn where we plan to sit so feel free to bring blankets (no lawn chairs are allowed). The game begins at 7:15 p.m., and meet-up times are to-be-determined. This information will be available in a later newsletter.

If you are interested in getting food as a group before this event, please fill out this quick questionnaire about preferences, pricing, etc.

What to bring:

  • Government badge
  • Money for tickets and food
  • Family and friends
  • Coolers with food and drink

Click here to register for this event!


SSN

On Thursday, July 11, interns are invited to attend one of two Soft Skills and Networking Workshops. The first session is 10 a.m. - noon, followed by the second from 1 - 3 p.m.

The workshop is put on by Rachel Zajac, Chief of Staff, Office of Career Connections and Talent. State Personnel Department's Talent Acquisition Team will also assist with this event. Skills developed in this workshop include: listening, managing differences, building and maintaining relationships, and professional communication.

Click here to register for this event!


INtern

Share your experiences with your peers! Submit a story regarding your internship experience at the State to potentially be featured in the newsletter's Intern Spotlight. 

Ideas Include: 

  • Something you learned but weren't expecting to 
  • An interesting event you attended 
  • A reflection on your experience so far 

Submit events and information for future newsletters to Lauryn at ldenney@spd.IN.gov 


SC

Indy Film Fest and Downtown Indy Inc. are hosting the Summer Cinema on the Canal series: a free series of events featuring movies shown outdoors along the Central Canal. Movies begin at 9 p.m. and are scheduled as followed:

Visit the organization's website for more information.


Run the State 2019 Logo

Join us for the last hike of the 2019 series!

State employees, including interns, and their families are invited to participate in a hike on July 20, at Turkey Run State Park

This year, we're offering two hike options. OPTION ONE includes a guided hike that lasts about an hour. The trail is very rugged; absolutely no strollers are permitted. OPTION TWO is the five-mile challenge. Participants will receive a map and guide themselves. Explore the perimeter hiking trails in the Falls Canyon-Rocky Hollow Nature Preserve. You’ll traverse three canyons, climb a ladder, cross a suspension bridge, and see the park’s first steward’s home. Plan on two to three hours. Portions of the hiking challenge may be impassable after large rainfalls. No water or bathrooms are available along the route, which starts at the nature center.

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For more information about race day at Turkey Run State Park, click here >

The Run the State series is presented by Invest in Your Health Indiana, the state employee wellness program.


Enjoying your internship?

Please remember to dress and act professionally for all events. Throughout the summer we will have networking events with people throughout state government.

Remember: you are here to learn. Please ask questions and soak up as much information as you can during your time with the state of Indiana.


Contact Us 

Email SPD Communications if you have any problems viewing the newsletter, subscription questions, issues with event registration, or if you would like to suggest an article. 

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