4 minute read
Rising Talent
An inside look at Intern Delaware
BY SARAH NAGY
AS A BORN AND RAISED DELAWAREAN, I never thought I would leave — and then I did.
Moving more than 500 miles away for college was very out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed every minute of adjusting to an unknown environment, newfound independence, and setting high expectations for myself to succeed. However, my love for my hometown runs deep, so I knew that returning to Wilmington was something I would always do. So, in turn, it wasn’t much of a battle trying to figure out where I wanted to build my career.
I remember searching for summer internships during my junior year of college and finding the marketing data analyst position for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Intern Delaware program. I was immediately intrigued after reading a statistic saying that “71% of college students move out of state post-graduation.” I knew if I had the opportunity to help decrease this number for the future talent of our state, I would do it. Luckily, I was hired.
I truly believe that interning with the State Chamber was the best opportunity I could have received. I remember being nervous walking in on my first day, but then immediately being welcomed by every team member with open arms. The work-life balance is very apparent there, as well as a deep sense of community and passion for helping others. My favorite work activity was taking walks around the city and exploring nearby parks during our lunch breaks. These moments not only boosted morale but also made my responsibilities more enjoyable.
The Intern Delaware program focuses on the professional development of Delaware’s young talent and enhances the attraction of the state for a future career and thriving personal life. Implemented through various workshops and panel discussions, we met with some of Delaware’s most esteemed legislators, business leaders, scientific experts, entrepreneurs, activists, and many more, all on a weekly basis.
My perspective on Intern Delaware was a bit different from the other interns. I gained firsthand experience by participating in all the events with my fellow intern cohort, while also working behind the scenes to help plan and execute them. My responsibilities included collaborating with my team to ensure the events ran smoothly and analyzing the data they generated. It was interesting to see how this all played out on the front end of things when event dates rolled around.
Due to the diverse range of industry sectors represented in the state, Intern Delaware hosts a variety of interns with different backgrounds, interests, and knowledge in their respective fields. On a personal level, it was no surprise that engaging conversations would stem from our differences, but what really amazed me was how much I have grown professionally through building these relationships. I’ve truly understood that maintaining connections will grow you as an individual and build a strong foundation for your future.
How often during your internship do you get the chance to meet the governor, moderate a senior executive roundtable, tour some of Delaware’s most iconic landmarks, enjoy great food, and make amazing friends along the way? My fellow cohort and I had the privilege of experiencing all that and more. When I look back and reflect on my internship experience, I truly couldn’t have asked for a better way to grow personally and professionally. Going to school away from home sparked a desire for independence and maturity, but this type of exposure helped guide that growth and nurtured excitement for a future here in Delaware.
Sarah Nagy served as the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s marketing data analyst intern for the Summer 2025 Intern Delaware program. She is expected to graduate from the University of Tennessee in 2026 with a degree in data analytics.
