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.
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.
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)
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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."
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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)
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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.
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.
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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.
“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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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