Interns say people, recreation and affordability make the QC appealing

This summer, 110 interns representing 18 local employers participated in InternQC, a talent development initiative designed by the Quad Cities Chamber to support workforce attraction and retention. While member companies provide valuable professional experiences, the program showcases the many amenities that make the Quad Cities a destination for young professionals looking to begin their careers and build their lives.

"InternQC gives interns the opportunity to experience the Quad Cities beyond their workplace," said Brandon Skahill, Executive Director at the Chamber. "They're meeting peers from other companies, exploring the activities that make the QC unique and building connections that help them see what a future here could look like."

Throughout the summer, participants gathered at venues including TBK Bank Sports Complex in Bettendorf, The Axis Hotel in Moline and Great River Brewery in Downtown Davenport. Along the way, they built friendships, expanded their professional networks and explored the many activities in the QC during the summer months.  

For Rachel Aird, an electrical engineering intern with Constellation Energy and student at Iowa State University, InternQC helped open her eyes to the opportunities available in the region. Originally from West Liberty, Iowa, Aird said she knew the Quad Cities offered more than her hometown, but the program helped her realize just how much there is to explore.

"InternQC has helped me see that there are a lot more things to do in the Quad Cities than I knew about," she said. "And the convenience of the area is a plus as well."

Aird attended InternQC events this year and last year and credits the program with helping her connect with other interns and discover new places around the community.

"It let us explore the area more," she said. "Seeing what the Quad Cities has to offer has been great, and meeting other interns has been great. I've gotten closer to the other interns at Constellation, too. We started hanging out more after work because of these events."

The experience has had a lasting impact. After graduation in December, Aird will return to the area full-time with Constellation Energy. "The Quad Cities feels familiar, homey and safe," she said. "I fell in love with the entire area," she said.

For Luke Brunsvold of Bettendorf, an engineering intern with IMEG, the region's outdoor activities stand out. An avid cyclist, runner and disc golfer, he spends much of his free time enjoying the area's extensive trail system and parks. "I'm a big biker and runner, so almost every day I'll go on a run by the river or bike by the river," he said. "I just love all the parks and trails around here."

Brunsvold said one of the best parts of InternQC has been meeting people from companies across the region and building connections beyond his own workplace. “My favorite thing has been meeting new people," he said. "I've connected with people from different companies and organizations, and it's been great getting to know others who are spending their summer here,” he said.

Noah Jorgensen, a marketing intern with Tri-City Electric and a native of Rockridge, Illinois, said the program reinforced his appreciation for the place he's always called home. After leaving for college, Jorgensen said he gained a new perspective on the community.

“I’ve always loved the QC, but when I left home, I came to appreciate it more than I did before," he said. "When I tell my college friends I'm from around the Quad Cities, they say, 'cities'?  They don't realize how unique it is that we're big enough to offer so much but small enough to still feel connected."

He described InternQC as "phenomenal" and said the events helped participants step outside their comfort zones and connect with people they otherwise may not have met. "It forced us to talk to new people," he said. "I've met a lot of people through the program."

For Nicholas Wang, a software engineering intern with Grace Technologies and a graduate of Iowa State University originally from Samara, Indonesia, the Quad Cities offers an appealing balance between opportunity and convenience.

"I think I would be happy living here because the population is a good size," he said. "I'm only seven minutes from work. The commute is easy, and the rent and food are pretty reasonable." Wang said he enjoys exploring the community and discovering new places, but what stands out most are the relationships he's built.

"The best thing about the Quad Cities is the people," he said. "I've made friends through InternQC and hope to stay in touch with them after the internship."

InternQC helps bridge the gap between a summer internship and a burgeoning career. By connecting interns with one another and encouraging them to experience the community in a different way, the program is helping the next generation of talent see the Quad Cities not only as a place to work, but as a place to call home.