Raise the Bar mixes lunch with networking, reflection

FINDLAY — On July 23, Raise the Bar hosted its inaugural Summer Internship Luncheon, bringing together college interns for networking, reflection, and shared learning. The event connected nearly 60 students representing 18 colleges and universities nationwide. More than just a luncheon, interns had the opportunity to meet peers, reflect on lessons learned throughout the summer, and build professional connections that will continue long after their internships conclude. City of Findlay Mayor, Christina Muryn, also joined the event, sparking conversations and excitement among attendees. "An internship should be the beginning of a relationship with a community," said Tricia Valasek, Executive Director at Raise the Bar. "We brought our area interns together because we wanted them to realize they weren't spending the summer here alone. Students from many employers and many universities shared this experience in Hancock County. The connections they made can continue when they return to campus, and we hope they leave knowing that Findlay offers an entire community of employers where they can continue learning, growing, and building their careers." The luncheon recognized the many employers that welcomed interns to their Hancock County-area locations this summer, including: AR Marketing, Blanchard Valley Health System, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Pandora, Flag City Sluggers, Freudenberg-NOK, Garner Trucking, Hancock County Adult Probation, Hancock Historical Museum, Hixon Zuercher Capital Management, Kreate, Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Mazza Museum, NAMI, Ohio Logistics, Oxley Law Office, RCR Technology, Reineke Family Dealerships, Resolute Wealth Advisor, The Rowmark Group, Valgroup and Whirlpool. Interns represented: Bowling Green State University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Miami University, Michigan State University, North Central State College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Purdue Northwest University, Purdue University, Texas A&M University, Tiffin University, The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Findlay, University of Toledo, Wilmington College and Wright State University.