Back in May, Holmes Murphy kicked off our 24th summer internship program and welcomed over 80 interns across our various locations. In Cedar Rapids, we welcomed five enthusiastic young professionals with the aim of teaching them about all things Holmes Murphy. We immersed them in our vibrant culture and introduced them to our clients and the community. What we didn’t anticipate was how much they would teach us.
Real-World Client Experience
Our goals for the interns included a deep dive into our Employee Benefits and Property Casualty services, job shadowing, professional skill development, and ensuring they had a robust understanding of how we best serve our clients. We also emphasized building connections with colleagues and other professionals within the Cedar Rapids community.
The interns began their summer by learning about Holmes Murphy and the insurance solutions provided by our subsidiaries. They shadowed us on various client visits, whether it was a mid-year review, strategy session, renewal discussion, or simply a relationship-building meeting. The interns attended these meetings, took extensive notes, interacted with clients, and asked insightful questions about their businesses.
During our return trips to the office, the interns eagerly questioned their Holmes Murphy mentors about the insurance terminology and strategies discussed with clients. These moments were perfect opportunities to teach them how we support clients, promote workforce health, and minimize risk. Their perspective was invaluable, offering a fresh take on the language and methods we use in our roles and helping us refine our communication to better serve our clients and onboard the next generation of Holmes Murphy employees.
Learning and Laughing
When not attending meetings, the interns were at the office honing their professional skills through table topics and office presentations. Each of them embraced the opportunity to speak, whether rehearsed or impromptu. They displayed confidence, listened intently to their peers, and actively sought feedback. Their eagerness to learn extended beyond insurance; they were keen on building relationships and improving their communication skills. These experiences also helped us refine our own skills, as we made ourselves vulnerable during presentations and offered honest responses to their questions.
The interns also worked to establish relationships within our office and participated in our friendly competitions. They were often the first to greet others in the morning, give nicknames to coworkers, engage in lunchtime conversations, and participate in activities like pickleball and office events. Their involvement, personal connections, and efforts to bring the office together for celebrations or stress relief spread genuine joy among our team. Who knew a little creativity could get everyone up from their desks to run around, throw a ball, and tackle trivia questions? Fun is an essential part of our job, and the interns reminded us of that.
Inspired by Our Interns
So, how did the summer go? I asked all the interns to describe Holmes Murphy in one word. They chose welcoming, caring, and family. When asked about the most important lesson they learned, they all emphasized the importance of building and fostering strong relationships.
To our Cedar Rapids interns, thank you for an amazing summer. We look forward to seeing you in our office again very soon. We appreciate all the lessons you taught us, especially the reminder to never stop learning.
Whether you’re looking for an internship or a new career opportunity, check out our current job openings and reach out to learn more about why we love what we do and who we do it with here at Holmes Murphy!
