Every career starts somewhere. For many professionals, it begins with an internship that provides not only hands-on experience, but also meaningful connections, mentorship, and a better understanding of how their work contributes to something larger than themselves.
This summer, Sunflower is helping create those opportunities through its new Intern Cohort Program, an initiative designed to bring interns together through professional development, networking opportunities, and shared learning experiences.
With interns located across multiple departments and facilities, the program creates opportunities for participants to connect, explore potential career paths, and gain a broader understanding of Sunflower’s mission and the cooperative business model.
“The vision behind the program was to create opportunities for interns to build lasting relationships with one another, develop a deeper connection to Sunflower’s mission and culture, and gain firsthand exposure to the wide range of careers and opportunities available with electric cooperatives,” said Manager of Talent Development Hannah Hilker, who helped develop the program.
Building Connections and Future Talent
The idea grew from a shared goal among leadership, human resources, and the training and talent development teams to create a more engaging internship experience while strengthening Sunflower’s network of future professionals.
The cohort is built around three primary objectives: fostering meaningful connections, understanding Sunflower’s purpose and impact, and exploring future career opportunities within the cooperative and energy industries. In addition to cohort activities, interns may be paired with peer mentors, which provides another opportunity to build connections and learn from employees across the organization.
Joscelyn Monarrez, environmental and science intern at our Holcomb facility, reflected on her participation in the program thus far.
“One thing I’ve gained from the Intern Cohort Program is the opportunity to branch out and talk to people, whether it is corporate employees or fellow interns. It has also helped me connect my CliftonStrengths® to the work I do here in Holcomb and apply those strengths in a professional setting.”
A Summer of Professional Development
Throughout the summer, interns will participate in three structured sessions focused on professional development and organizational learning. The first session introduced interns to one another and provided a deeper look into Sunflower’s mission, corporate functions, and organizational impact. Interns also completed CliftonStrengths® assessments to better understand their individual talents and strengths.
Future sessions will cover professional etiquette, career readiness, generation and system operations, transmission, resume development, and interviewing skills. Interns will also have opportunities to participate in networking events, employee panels, Q&A sessions, mock interviews, headshot sessions, and discussions with full-time employees who began their careers as Sunflower interns.
By combining professional development with exposure to the broader cooperative network, the Intern Cohort Program aims to provide interns with a meaningful and memorable experience while helping them envision future opportunities within the energy industry.
