Young Professionals Imagine a Future in Wabash County

By: Grow Wabash County

For students nearing the completion of a degree program and considering professional options after college, deciding on potential job offers often involves contemplating the pros and cons of new communities. Wabash County helps simplify that decision-making process through the Wabash County Fellowship Program. The 12-week summer internship program gives rising college juniors, seniors, and graduate students a chance to sample life in Wabash County at the tail-end of their programs. Ultimately, the program aims to connect participants with professional opportunities and entice them to relocate to the community.

An Immersive Summer Internship that Builds to a Career

The fellowship is an initiative of Imagine One 85, a county-wide effort to reverse decades of population decline in Indiana’s 85th county. The fellowship is in the first year of a two-year pilot program. The program selects ten fellows for immersive full-time summer internships with Wabash employers each year. These internships are designed to provide valuable professional experience and culminate in conditional offers of employment. The inaugural 2024 fellowship cohort includes international students, graduate students at the master’s and PhD levels, STEM majors such as engineering, and students from Purdue, Trine University, and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. While one of the ten fellows grew up in North Manchester, the remaining participants are new to Wabash County.

Fellowship with Fringe Benefits: Glamping, Concerts, and More

One of the most innovative aspects of the fellowship is the unique housing arrangement provided to participants. In rural communities like Wabash, temporary housing tends to be in short supply. To address this challenge, the fellowship program opted for a fun and creative solution: summer glamping. Fellows are housed in brand-new luxury RVs, courtesy of local partner Zoomers RV, stationed along the picturesque Wabash River in downtown Wabash. This setup not only integrates fellows into the heart of the county but also engenders camaraderie among the program participants, mirroring the broader community spirit of Wabash County.

Throughout the 12-week program, fellows engage in various activities, some of which introduce participants to the county’s many natural amenities. From kayaking along the Wabash and Eel Rivers to exploring the trails of Salamonie State Forest, participants immerse themselves in outdoor adventures that define life in Wabash County. Other activities focus on Wabash’s vibrant arts and entertainment venues, anchored by the Honeywell Foundation, which operates the Honeywell Center, Eagles Theatre, 13-24 Drive In, and several other venues across the county. Fellows are set to attend a concert that is a part of the Honeywell Arts Academy program, which brings artists from around the world to Wabash for a three-week residency.

Leveraging the county’s close-knit community ties, fellows enjoy myriad benefits through community partnerships. For example, laundry service was organized through a partnership with The Arc of Wabash County, which provides employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. Fellows also received free memberships to the local YMAC and Wabash library system. The program also allows fellows to network with other young professionals in the area and attend online and in-person development workshops, including receptions with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana Destination Development Corporation.

Imagine a Future in Wabash County

As the fellowship program looks ahead to its 2025 application cycle, prospective candidates are invited to envision a place for themselves in the future of Wabash County. Applicants should be committed to advancing their careers and making the most of their internships. Ideal candidates will be open-minded optimists ready to embrace experiences and a new community. Even if you have never imagined yourself living in a community like Wabash County, this fellowship provides a low-risk opportunity to take a chance on Wabash and explore a path you may not have otherwise considered.

Beyond the professional benefits of the Wabash County Fellowship Program, the community offers a quality of life that is both enriching and affordable. Nestled amid Indiana’s natural beauty, Wabash County provides ample space to live and thrive, with vibrant downtown areas that pulse with arts, culture, and entertainment. More than anything else, you’ll find resilience in the spirit of Wabash residents; the community is committed to seeing the county become the best place it can be. Here, you’ll find a community that you can be a part of, get involved in, and make an impact on. People have started to discover the value proposition of life in Wabash County as the community is projected to grow for the first time since 1980 next year. Do not miss your chance to be part of a great comeback story – bookmark the Wabash County Fellowship Program page or updates on the 2025 application cycle.

The fellowship program fits perfectly with Grow Wabash County’s five main service pillars, which focus on business development efforts: business development, entrepreneurship, livability, workforce development, and investor services. Contact Grow today to learn how they can help you!