Category: INTERN Sioux Falls

Internship Info: Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network with Casey Boerger

Posted on by leahb

Learn about the Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network in this Q&A with Casey Boerger, the YPN Manager! If you’re interested in getting involved with YPN, click the link below to learn more.

Tell me about yourself.

I was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota, and spent the first 22 years of my life there. Eventually, upon graduating college, opportunity led me south on I-29 and I ended up making Sioux Falls my home.

What is the Young Professionals Network?

The Young Professionals Network is your avenue to connecting with career-focused young professionals in the Sioux Falls area. We work to create opportunities for learning and networking, support civic involvement and promote an overall investment in the future of the community.

What can students get out of joining YPN as an intern?

Your YPN membership is free for the first year. It is a great tool to learn how to network, learn about your community, and meet people. Joining YPN as an intern is one of the smartest ways to excel in your chosen career field while also helping strengthen your roots in the community that you are already investing time in.

In what ways can being a part of YPN impact someone’s career?

Current and past testimonials can speak to this question. However, putting time into networking and cultivating professional relationships is the number one way to impact your career in a positive way/ YPN is supported by numerous organizations in the community as they understand the benefit in investing in the younger generation of future leaders. More times than not, current leaders are willing to provide time, resources, & guidance to benefit those that want to excel personally and professionally.

What do you love about living and working in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has that big-city feel with the safety of a small town. You are bound to know someone just about anywhere you go! I also love how vibrant our downtown is and the Sioux Falls community is so friendly and willing to help in any way that they can. We truly are fortunate to live here.

“I love YPN because it’s a great way to make new connections and learn about the Sioux Falls community! Being able to tour different businesses, hear from some of our city’s most influential business leaders, and just meet new people has been so fun to experience.”

Leah Blom, Director of Marketing and Digital Media, Sioux Falls Development Foundation

“YPN is an amazing opportunity to get involved and connected in the Sioux Falls community. When I first moved to Sioux Falls, I didn’t know very many people. Attending YPN events was very beneficial in the aspect of networking and meeting awesome individuals in the area. I highly encourage all young professionals to join YPN because it opens up doors to new friendships, collaborations, and career opportunities.”

Regan Dennis, Director of Campus Recruitment & Development, Northwestern Mutual

Get involved with YPN

learn more

Come back next week Tuesday for another blog!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Internship Info: First Western Bank & Trust

Posted on by leahb

Learn about First Western Bank and Trust in this Q&A with Ryan Martin answering questions about Sioux Falls and Kelsey Aller answering questions about FWB&T. Ryan is the Market President at the Sioux Falls office and Kelsey is the Human Resource Officer in Minot, ND. Apply for jobs and internships at the link below!

Tell me about First Western Bank & Trust.

First Western Bank & Trust has been a family-owned community bank since 1964. Today, we have 18 locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

The ideals that First Western was founded upon continue to remain true today:

To provide the best in customer service.

  • To work hand-in-hand with our customers to help them find the best banking solutions for their needs.
  • To give back to the communities we serve with charitable donations, volunteer work, and sponsorships.
  • To create a professional and positive work environment with internal growth opportunities for our valued employees.
  • To remain innovative and be an industry leader with the best products, services, and banking tools.

Our Mission

First Western Bank & Trust strives to be the premier bank and financial service provider in the communities we serve by building strong customer relationships, providing great customer service, offering diverse financial products, and maintaining knowledgeable, friendly, professional employees.

Giving Back

We take pride in the communities we serve and value the importance of giving back through charitable works. Our employees are actively involved with our service projects, sponsorships, and worthy causes.

What is your favorite thing about working at First Western Bank & Trust?

I love working for a family-owned community bank. We are a very tight-knit organization that leads with common sense when assisting our customers and serving our communities.

Why do you think internships are important?

Internships are a great way to explore areas of interest for young people, as they get closer to embarking on their careers. They are able to gain relevant industry experience while earning college credit toward their degree. In addition, they afford the opportunity to work collaboratively with others in the workplace and get feedback from those with more industry experience. This provides a unique opportunity to ask questions, gain confidence, and develop and refine skills.

What do you love about living and working in Sioux Falls?

I love that I live in a community that is experiencing growth in so many areas – you can feel the energy around town. Yet, we can still maintain that small-town sense of being welcoming and friendly.

Careers at First Western Bank and Trust

Apply Now!

Come back next week Tuesday for another blog!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Internship Info: How to prepare for applying for internships

Posted on by leahb

Welcome to Internship Info, our weekly blog segment featuring information about internships, opportunities in Sioux Falls, and more! Each week on Tuesdays, you’ll find a new post to learn about a featured employer or best practices for applying for jobs and internships. This week, SFDF’s Talent Recruitment Coordinator, Claire Herbst, shares tips for applying for internships.

Internships are a valuable experience that can broaden a student’s knowledge and prepare them for real world work experience. They are a great way to show future employers that you have some basic skills in your field of interest. Applying for an internship can be an intimidating process for students, so we’ve come up with a few things that can make the process a little easier.

  1. Know and understand what type of internship you want.

Do some research to get an understanding of the different types of internships your area of interest offers. Talk to classmates and professors to get an idea of what their previous internship experiences consisted of. Figure out the ideal location that you might want to be after graduation and the ideal size of the company you want to work for. Having the knowledge and understanding of what you want to get out of an internship will make it easier to choose an internship that will provide you with your desired experience.

  1. Create your resume.

When preparing your resume, the first thing that should be listed is any type of educational experience or background that you may have. Following the section on educational experience can be any work experience, whether it’s directly related to the position you’re applying for or not. Finally, an extracurricular activities section and/or an achievements section should be added to showcase talents and qualifications in a different light. Ensure that when you submit your resume it contains everything that you have done and achieved up to the point of applying. You should also cater your resume to the position you’re applying for. This may seem tedious, but it will make your resume stand out.

  1. Pick the right internship for you.

When exploring the different opportunities, make sure you’re focusing on what you want to get out of this experience. An internship is the best way to create a foundation for your whole career, so don’t rush it!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Internship Info: City of Sioux Falls Ascend Internship Program

Posted on by leahb

The City of Sioux Falls employs over 1,300 people, all committed to public service. Learn more about the City’s Ascend Internship Program in this Q&A with Talent Manager, Mandy Frey, and apply for jobs and internships at the link below!

Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, I have always loved this community! In fact, when selecting a major in college, I always knew I wanted to serve our community. After graduating college from the University of Sioux Falls in 2007, I decided to begin my career in higher education. I spent 15 years working in higher education between the University of Sioux Falls and Southeast Technical College. These experiences solidified my interest in workforce development for the Sioux Falls community. In December 2022, I took a leap and changed my career from education to local government. As the new Talent Manager for the City of Sioux Falls, I’m excited to use my background in higher education and workforce development to showcase the City of Sioux Falls as an Employer of Choice in our community!

Tell me about the City of Sioux Falls as an employer.

Sioux Falls is growing exponentially, and we need you to join our team of 1,300 full-time and hundreds more part-time and seasonal employees. Find a place to serve alongside us in a range of careers available in 11 diverse departments. There’s a role for every interest from public safety and health, to culture and recreation, to technology and internal operations. Our employees’ partner with local businesses and community members to provide the infrastructure, safe neighborhoods and recreation opportunities that keep Sioux Falls consistently ranked among the top places to live and work. Our core values of safety, teamwork, innovation, character, and respect build community from the inside out. Employees’ top culture drivers include a strong sense of accomplishment, growth through learning and training, and supportive colleagues. Team members achieve job satisfaction every day with the knowledge that their service positively impacts the high quality of life this community enjoys.

What is it like being an intern for the City of Sioux Falls?

The City of Sioux Falls offers paid internships throughout the summer, providing mentoring, professional development and growth opportunities to students interested in a variety of careers. As one of the most diverse employers in Sioux Falls, we provide a wide array of settings for you to explore your interests, gain real world experience, and develop professional skills and competencies. Our internship will provide you with a full-time mentor in your department, meaningful projects for you to spearhead, acquisition of career-specific skills, weekly intern cohort networking, speakers, tours, and dedicated resources to the cohort of interns.

What makes the City of Sioux Falls stand out from other employers?

The City of Sioux Falls developed the One Sioux Falls Framework that guides our work for strategic community growth. It truly is an honor to work for the City who takes such pride in focusing on these four focus areas that are supported by innovation, engaging people, and sustainable growth:

Safety & Health: Provide a safe community in which the health and well-being of our citizens is above the national average.

Accessible Housing: Foster the availability of housing options at all income levels, throughout the city.

Workforce: Continue to develop a community with a qualify of life that will attract and retain the best employee base in the United States.

Kids: Support a community where kids and families want to be and can thrive.

Additionally, the salary and benefits! The City of Sioux Falls just completed a salary and benefit review and the results prove that the City has a competitive advantage as it relates to its salary and benefit packages as compared to other public organizations and private industries.

What do you love about living and working in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls is home. Being a young adult, I always wondered what it would be like to live in a big city, but never took the risk. Sioux Falls has the small-town feel, but in a larger community. It feels like the best of both worlds. And I’m not the only one to recognize this! SmartAsset ranked Sioux Falls the number one city in America for young professionals in 2021.

Watch these videos for more information about the Ascend internship program!

CAREERS AT the City of Sioux Falls

APPLY NOW

Come back next week Tuesday for our blog with tips for applying for internships!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Internship Info: Gage Brothers Concrete Products

Posted on by leahb

Gage Brothers builds beautiful communities by leading the way in quality precast concrete solutions. Learn more about Gage Brothers in this Q&A with their Human Resources Manager, Krysta Widman, and apply for jobs and internships at the link below!

Tell me about Gage Brothers.

At Gage Brothers we manufacture architectural and structural precast products that are used to create the buildings that make up our communities. The Sanford Children’s Hospital, Target Field, Denny Sanford Premier Center, TCF Bank Stadium, Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center, SDSU Jackrabbit Grove, and Eleven on the River are just some of the high-profile jobs we have had the pleasure of working on.

What sets Gage Brothers apart from their competition?

Diversity sets Gage Brothers apart. From our projects to our product line, to our team, diversity is what makes us successful. We are proud to be involved in a variety of projects in Education, Industrial, Residential, Commercial, and Medical industries. Our diversified product line includes an array of precast and prestressed concrete products such as: architectural wall panel, insulated wall panels, beams, bridge girders, columns, double tees, hollow core, and stadia. Our team is what makes it all possible. Our experienced engineers, drafters, carpenters, concrete specialists, steel workers, equipment operators, batching experts, maintenance teams work together originally from 25 different countries to produce works of art that others said couldn’t be done. Established in 1915, Gage Brothers has over 100 years of continued success backing us up and launching us forward. Not only have we been doing this for a while, we are also Employee-Owned, which means that our team works with unmatched dedication to the success of our projects.

What is your favorite thing about working at Gage Brothers?

Working at Gage Brothers is exciting. I have been working here for over 8 years and I have never been bored. The projects are always different, there are always opportunities to be creative with the team. Gage Brothers is a large enough organization that the work you do has an impact on the people who work here as well as the communities we serve but also small enough that when you have an idea, we can try it right away without many formalities. Everyone knows your name at Gage, and you are part of our community.

One of the things I love about working here is that you get to be part of something much bigger than yourself. Yes, we make concrete products, but those products build our communities. They are places that create safe havens for sick children to heal, places for fans to make memories, beautiful places to live and build a life. These buildings become pillars of the community and I am proud to be a part of these jobs.

Why do you think internships are important?

Internships are so important for you to get hands-on experience in your field. This gives you valuable real-life examples to use in future interviews and a chance to ask the necessary questions in an appropriate environment. Make connections in the industry and start the interview process for future opportunities with that company or someone who can give you a positive reference later on. Take some pressure off your first day at your first job by having done an internship and know what to expect BEFORE you get there.

What do you love about living and working in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls is constantly growing and developing and young professionals in Sioux Falls are leading this. All the opportunities to learn from experienced, successful professionals are right here. Long-standing businesses with solid reputations are looking for the next generation to take their companies to the next level. Stay local and make a real difference right here in Sioux Falls!

CAREERS AT Gage Brothers

APPLY NOW

Come back next week Tuesday for our blog featuring the City of Sioux Falls Ascend Internship program!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Internship Info: Mariah Burroughs of ISG

Posted on by leahb

ISG is a full-service architecture, design, and engineering firm with 11 office locations across the Midwest, including Sioux Falls. Learn more about ISG’s Talent Engagement Specialist, Mariah Burroughs, below and apply for jobs and internships at ISG!

Tell me about yourself.

I have been with ISG for almost a year and a half as the Talent Engagement Specialist. I attended MSU – Mankato where I received a Business Management degree with an emphasis on HR in May of 2021. I had one internship in college at fun.com in North Mankato, MN, and then I worked as a Temp HR Coordinator at Capstone Publishers in North Mankato, MN during my senior year of college. Upon graduation, a family friend sent over the job posting for my current position at ISG. I applied, interviewed, and started my position all within 2 weeks and haven’t looked back! I enjoy meeting new people throughout the interview and onboarding process and especially enjoy leading our internship program. Last year we hosted nearly 50 interns across all of our office locations.

Tell me about ISG.

ISG is a full-service design firm. We have 11 office locations across SD, MN, IA, and WI with nearly 500 employee owners. We are 100% employee owned which allows for broader ownership, the ability to be directly connected to performance, and our culture of accountability and opportunism is amplified. Put simply, everyone works hard = everyone benefits, not just an elite group. ISG designed the Cherapa Place Development that is currently underway along the East Bank of the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls. After the development is complete, ISG will move our almost 50 Sioux Falls employee owners into The Bancorp building with room to grow our Sioux Falls office to almost 90 employees. Cherapa Place Development | ISG (isginc.com)

Why do you love working at ISG?

Simply put, the people and the culture. From day one, each and every employee owner has been willing to jump in and help out in any way that they can. I have been encouraged by those around me to face challenges and grow as a young professional. I am continuously inspired by those around me and the work that we do. Most of all, I love that it truly feels like a family atmosphere, and I feel so lucky that I get to look forward to going to work every day.

Why do you think internships are important?

Internships are important when it comes to developing soft skills that you don’t necessarily learn in a classroom. My internship taught me so many things such as balancing schedules and learning to communicate effectively. Internships are also a great way to make sure you are going down the career path that is right for you! My internship and temp position proved that I loved the career path I chose and helped me identify the qualities that I would look for in a long-term employer in the future. Now I get to work for a company that I love, in a field that I am passionate about.

What is your favorite thing about working and living in Sioux Falls?

When I moved to Sioux Falls back in August of 2022, I immediately noticed the small town feel in a big city. Everyone I met was willing to help me get settled in and wanted to help me make connections. There are so many different opportunities for young professionals in Sioux Falls and so many different things going on. I also love that there are many small businesses to visit and support, whether it be a locally owned boutique or a coffee shop.

CAREERS AT ISG

APPLY NOW

Come back next week Tuesday for our blog featuring Gage Brothers Concrete Products!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator

Introducing: Internship Info with Claire Herbst of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation

Posted on by leahb

Welcome to Internship Info, our weekly blog segment featuring information about internships, opportunities in Sioux Falls, and more! Each week on Tuesdays, you’ll find a new post to learn about a featured employer or best practices for applying for jobs and internships.

This week’s Internship Info features Claire Herbst, who is the Talent Recruitment Coordinator with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. She helps students find internships in the Sioux Falls area!

 

Tell me about yourself

I graduated from the University of South Dakota in December of 2021 with a degree in accounting, a minor in Legal Studies in Business, and a certificate in Inclusive Leadership. I worked as an Accountant for eight months before coming into the Talent Recruitment Coordinator position with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. I had two accounting internships during my college career, my first one was at the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company and my second one was at First Dakota Title.

What do you do at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation?

At the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, I am the Talent Recruitment Coordinator. Within my position I am responsible for the program called INTERN Sioux Falls. INTERN Sioux Falls was launched to help businesses create and maintain internship programs for college students as well as assist college students and career centers in finding and filling internships in the Sioux Falls region. Once interns are in Sioux Falls for the summer, I assist in immersing them within the community so they can get a glimpse of what it’s like to live and work in Sioux Falls!

Why do you think internships are important?

I believe internships are important because they give valuable exposure to what a career in your chosen field would be like and can assist in figuring out a career path. They give so many opportunities to expand your network and gain strong relationships with those who can be your advocate for recommendations and references. Internships have the potential to catapult you into a career you have always wanted.

What is your favorite thing about working and living in Sioux Falls?

What I love about living and working in Sioux Falls is the strong community. There is always someone to help you out in big and small ways and there is always an opportunity to help others if you are capable. There are so many opportunities within the community to better yourself and there is always someone supporting you in everything you do.

Come back next week Tuesday for our blog featuring architecture and engineering firm, ISG!

Want to be a part of INTERN Sioux Falls? Contact:

Claire Herbst

Talent Recruitment Coordinator