For more than a decade, the TeamKC Intern Program has helped interns across the region do more than envision their careers in KC — it’s connected them to the people, places and opportunities that make the region a place worth building a future.
This summer, nearly 1,000 interns from 80+ companies took part in programming designed to help them get to know KC — and each other — beyond the workplace.
A Summer Built Around Experiences
The best way to get to know a region is to get out and explore it. That’s where TeamKC comes in.
KC 101 presentations covered all the basics of living and working in KC, highlighting what makes the region stand out and helping the audience connect with the region and all it has to offer.
Courtesy of Clarkson Construction
Group KC 101 events at Atlas9 brought the experience to life for hundreds of interns, who heard directly from early career professionals about launching their careers in KC. TeamKC also partnered with KC Global Design on the Share the KC Love event, showcasing the breadth of architecture, engineering and construction opportunities across the region.
And Intern Night at the K — always a fan favorite — brought together nearly 700 interns to network and enjoy Royals baseball.
Expanding the KC Connection
The TeamKC Intern Program reached nearly 1,000 interns from 80+ companies. Partnerships with ProX and other organizations extended KC 101 programming to an additional 600+ non-traditional interns and early career professionals.
And the impact didn’t stop at in-person programming — 400 interns signed up for weekly emails featuring things to do, places to explore and stories showcasing life in KC, including features from KC Options.
The experiences extended to all corners of the region. This year’s prize and ticket giveaway partners — including Morton Amphitheater, Starlight Theatre, Hot Country Nights, the KC Royals, KC Current and Made in KC — gave interns even more ways to get out and explore.
Courtesy of ProX
The Interns Have Spoken
As the summer wound down, TeamKC asked interns what they thought about the experience — and their responses show the program is doing more than filling summer calendars.
77% said TeamKC helped them make connections in the region.
83% said the program helped them explore the region in ways they wouldn’t have otherwise.
100% said they would recommend the program to future interns.
“I would recommend the program because it gives you not only a base understanding of the KC lifestyle but also gets you connected with people around the KC area, helps you grow a broader knowledge of KC, and creates opportunities for events. Incredible program and would recommend to anyone!”
Could KC Be Home After the Internship?
For many interns, the answer is looking increasingly like yes.
88% said they were likely to live and work in KC in the future, including 72% who said they were very likely.
That’s the bigger opportunity behind the TeamKC Intern Program: helping early career professionals see KC as not just a summer stop, but a place to build their future.
As one intern shared:
“It was a great way to start the summer hearing about all the opportunities in KC!”
And for others, the program offered a chance to see a familiar place in a new way:
“I got to learn more about the city that I’ve lived in my whole life, and I also got to engage in several fun experiences across the city that I wouldn’t have known about had I not been a part of this program.”
Internships may be ending, but the KC connection doesn’t have to. TeamKC is available year-round to support employers’ talent attraction and retention strategies — helping connect the KC region with the next generation of talent. Stay connected by joining the TeamKC network.