Mainebiz

Y our summer interns may be wily veterans by now, but it's impor- tant that Maine employers know about programs and initiatives. Since many of these students and young professionals are experiencing a sum- mer in Maine for the first time, here are five tips to make the season count for your interns. Give them real work — and tell them why it matters Busywork is forgettable. By taking the time to explain how the task you are giving them has an impact on the company's mission, you'll not only get more quality work; you will also empower your intern. Plug them into Maine Career Catalyst Connecting them with interns or others in your office is great, but you can help them expand their network even more and deepen their roots in Maine by participating in Maine Career Catalyst. is is free for any Maine employer hosting at least one intern, apprentice or co-op student. e program complements your existing program with professional development (both in-person and vir- tual), social events and networking. Play matchmaker Help facilitate a lunch or coffee meetup with another intern in the office or even an intern at a neighbor- ing business. It helps them to feel part of the team and build lasting relation- ships. We also recommend facilitated mentorship conversations between interns and staff. Tell them what Maine has to offer Your intern is weighing a future in Maine against a lot of other options. At Live + Work in Maine, we have learned that selling Maine is one of the strongest approaches you can take. Here are a couple of great ones to mention in your benefits package: Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit: If they live and work in Maine after graduation, they can claim up to $2,500 per year — up to a $25,000 lifetime cap — on their state taxes to offset student loan payments. Eligible for associate, bachelor's or graduate degrees earned after 2007 from any accredited college, any- where. Maine is one of just a handful of states offering income tax credits on general student loan payments that aren't tied to a specific field. e Maine lifestyle: Showcase the way of life for Mainers. Encourage your interns to explore Maine this summer and show them that there are vast career opportunities within the state— think lunch breaks by the sea or a quick scenic hike after work. A fun idea to consider might be provid- ing them with a state park pass when they start their internship. Live + Work in Maine: Make interns aware of the resources Live + Work in Maine offers. Our organiza- tion showcases networking groups to help interns plug in post-grad, hosts events to help folks find community, operates a Maine-focused job board and shares relevant content about Maine. Plan the off-ramp early Schedule the final feedback con- versation (the "where do you see your- self next year" check-in and the "let's stay in touch" follow-up) before their last week sneaks up on you. e door you leave open in August is the one they walk back through after graduation. And if they don't end up with your company long-term, you will hopefully leave with help- ful feedback — a fresh perspective is always useful. Teamwork If we want to keep young talent in Maine, it's going to take a team approach. We encourage employers to get creative with their internship opportunities and experiences — and use Maine to your advantage. KatiE ShORE Y is director of e n ga g e m e n t a t L i ve + Wo r k i n M a i n e . S h e w a s h o n o r e d b y M a i n e b i z i n 2 0 2 5 a s a n Outstanding Woman in Business. Exclusive Rebates for Small Businesses Learn more about Efficiency Maine's incentives for small businesses at efficiencymaine.com/at-work/small-business. Leverage Higher Rebates for Your Business and Save On Energy-Efficient Upgrades. Rebates for small businesses are available for all eligible commercial customers, including nonprofits, schools, and municipalities. Eligibility for small business incentives is simple and based on average monthly energy usage. Qualifying small businesses can access rebates 25% to 40% above the standard incentive for energy-saving solutions like high-efficiency lighting retrofits and HVAC equipment. Make internships work for you F O C U S H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N / P RO F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T B Y K A T I E S H O R E Y B Y K A T I E S H O R E Y H OW TO The door you leave open in August is the one they walk through after graduation.

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