As NH grapples with workforce shortages and one of the oldest populations in the nation, Stay Work Play NH is launching a new initiative designed to help interns see the Granite State as more than just a place to spend a summer.
The NH Interns Program, which began in June, combines networking events, professional development opportunities, and community-building experiences aimed at encouraging young people to build careers — and lives — in NH.
The program aligns closely with Stay Work Play’s mission of attracting and retaining young talent, according to Executive Director Corinne Breton.
“The community-building and storytelling piece is really our role in the statewide workforce development strategy,” Breton says. “We want young people to understand not just where they can work, but why New Hampshire is a great place to build a life.”
The idea grew out of conversations with Bangor Savings Bank, which had seen the success of a similar initiative in Maine. Stay Work Play adapted the concept for NH and is treating this summer as its pilot year.
Breton says the expectations of young people are changing, driven in part by challenges such as housing affordability. During a workforce-focused “Policy and Pizza” event at Southern NH University this spring, nearly every student participant said they expected to live with their parents until age 30.
Research shows students are nearly twice as likely to remain in the state where they complete an internship, making them a valuable retention tool. But Breton says employers often focus primarily on the workplace experience, while long-term retention depends on something broader. “Even if someone has a great internship, they may not build connections outside of work,” she says.
The program, supported by partnerships with the Business and Industry Association of NH and the NH College & University Council, kicked off with a networking event in Manchester and includes complementary access to Stay Work Play’s NH Nexus Summit in Concord. Participants also receive an “Intern Passport” that rewards engagement throughout the summer.
More than 30 employers are participating, including Bangor Savings Bank, Fidelity Investments, and the NH Community Loan Fund. Fidelity is hosting about 180 interns this summer. Breton notes that 80% of Fidelity interns receive job offers and about half accept them, underscoring how important internships can be to retaining talent.
“We know New Hampshire has a lot to offer,” she says. “This program is about helping young people experience that firsthand and creating the connections that make them want to stay.” For more information about the program, visit stayworkplay.org/nh-intern-summer-series.
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