{"id":687,"date":"2023-01-18T20:09:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wdcsd.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=687"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:51:47","slug":"intern-engagement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wdcsd.com\/staged\/workforce\/intern-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Intern Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"687\" class=\"elementor elementor-687\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-708fc792 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"708fc792\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56ac2f62 top column-style-top\" data-id=\"56ac2f62\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6105ae40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6105ae40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d25d957 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1d25d957\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b945305 top column-style-top\" data-id=\"7b945305\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a6c014d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a6c014d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b36ad34 top column-style-top\" data-id=\"b36ad34\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d49274b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d49274b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Intern Engagement Program<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9af7df8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9af7df8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Program Overview<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d3743a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d3743a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <strong>Intern Engagement Program<\/strong> is a workforce development initiative led by the <strong>Watertown Development Company (WDC)<\/strong> to enhance the experience of college and post\u2011secondary interns working in Watertown, South Dakota. The program is designed to help interns <strong>connect with the community<\/strong>, <strong>build relationships<\/strong>, and <strong>experience the quality of life<\/strong> in Watertown\u2014increasing the likelihood they return after graduation as full\u2011time employees.<\/p>\n<p>By supporting intern engagement beyond the workplace, the program strengthens local talent pipelines and supports long\u2011term workforce retention for area employers.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Goals<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Increase intern satisfaction and sense of belonging<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen relationships between interns, employers, and the community<\/li>\n<li>Highlight Watertown\u2019s amenities, businesses, and lifestyle<\/li>\n<li>Improve post\u2011graduation retention of emerging talent<\/li>\n<li>Support employers in attracting and retaining future workforce<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Key Program Components<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Passport to Watertown<\/strong><br \/>The Passport to Watertown is the program\u2019s core engagement tool. It is distributed to participating employers for their interns and includes local attractions, events, dining options, discounts, and QR codes linking interns to community resources. The passport encourages self\u2011guided exploration and meaningful interaction with Watertown\u2019s amenities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Padfolio &amp; Welcome Materials<\/strong><br \/>Interns receive padfolios containing the Passport to Watertown, community information, and employer\u2011supported incentives when available. These materials provide a welcoming introduction and practical guidance for living and working in the community.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Intern Networking &amp; Engagement Events<\/strong><br \/>When feasible, WDC coordinates optional summer networking events that bring together interns from multiple employers. These events foster peer connections, introduce interns to community gathering spaces, and strengthen employer collaboration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Employer Participation &amp; Support<\/strong><br \/>Employers voluntarily participate by requesting Passports for their interns. WDC provides program materials, coordinates engagement efforts, and connects employers to workforce resources that enhance internship experiences.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Administration<\/h3>\n<p>The Intern Engagement Program is administered by WDC staff in coordination with community partners and informed by feedback from interns, employers, and the Watertown Workforce Advisory Council. Program costs are modest and focused on materials and engagement activities that deliver direct participant benefit.<\/p>\n<h3>Community Impact<\/h3>\n<p>The Intern Engagement Program strengthens Watertown\u2019s workforce ecosystem by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enhancing intern experiences and satisfaction<\/li>\n<li>Increasing the likelihood of interns returning post\u2011graduation<\/li>\n<li>Supporting employer talent recruitment and retention<\/li>\n<li>Promoting Watertown as a welcoming community for young professionals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd5e9da elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd5e9da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cATTRACT AND ENHANCE\u201d RECOGNIZED BY MID-AMERICA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ad3e24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ad3e24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For its Attract and Enhance program, the Watertown Development Company was recognized by the Mid-America Economic Development Council in 2021. The program, which provides matching funds for relocations and training, helped alleviate the burden of housing costs for Watertown students.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a11eb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8a11eb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/wdcsd.com\/staged\/mid-america-economic-development-council-presents-award-to-watertown-development\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">READ FULL PRESS RELEASE<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Intern Engagement Program Program Overview The Intern Engagement Program is a workforce development initiative led by the Watertown Development Company (WDC) to enhance the experience of college and post\u2011secondary interns [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":226,"parent":159,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-687","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Intern Engagement | Watertown Development Company<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about workforce enhancement opportunities, including the Intern Engagement Initiative, available through the Watertown Development Company.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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