How Wabash County is Turning Internships into Long-Term Talent

By Katie Beauchamp, Marketing Director at Crossroads Bank:

Every community talks about wanting to attract younger talent. However, it’s hard to take that next step and actually do it successfully. The Wabash County Fellowship Program has been the perfect way to showcase our community to young professionals from all over the world. The program does a great job of highlighting the parts of Wabash County that are actually relevant to young adults – things to do, places to eat, opportunities to volunteer, and other young professionals to connect with. It recognizes what is truly going to pique their interest and what is important during this phase of life, not just from a professional development standpoint.

This program is important to Wabash County because, like many communities, we want to continue attracting young talent to the area and connecting them with the right people and opportunities. The Fellowship Program helps them get rooted both professionally and culturally. It gives participants a chance to see what life is really like here and experience firsthand the relationships, opportunities, and sense of community that make Wabash County special.

I have had the privilege of working with a fellow for the past three years at Crossroads Bank, which is as long as the program has been in existence. Each individual has brought a completely different personality, perspective, and set of strengths to the table. We’ve been able to utilize those strengths in various initiatives and campaigns throughout different departments of the bank. Not only have they been fantastic interns, but because their entire summer is so immersive in the Wabash County community, they are always willing to volunteer, participate in local events, and jump in on opportunities to get involved.

That is one of the things that stands out most about this program. It attracts candidates who are truly committed to the internship experience and the community experience, rather than simply looking for a summer job or another line on their résumé. They want to learn, contribute, and build relationships.

We have already seen success from the program. One fellowship intern returned to both our company and the area following graduation, and others who have not yet graduated still keep in touch and regularly express how grateful they are for their time here. Even if they haven’t returned yet, they speak very highly of the area, the people, and the community. Although they only spent one summer with us, many leave feeling like Wabash County is a second home.

As a young professional in the area myself, I continue to see more and more young people either returning to Wabash County or moving here from somewhere entirely different. One of my favorite things is showing them something in the area they would never expect to find it in a small town. This community proves that an affordable lifestyle and lower cost of living can still come with amazing experiences, meaningful careers, strong friendships, and a true sense of belonging. The Fellowship Program helps tell that story, and I believe it plays an important role in the future growth of Wabash County.

This blog was written in partnership with Katie Beauchamp, Marketing Director at Crossroads Bank. As a longtime host employer in the Wabash County Fellowship Program, Crossroads Bank continues to invest in developing young professionals and strengthening the future of our community.