Bloom in Bloomington

Mission

Bloom in Bloomington strives to support and grow a more diverse, and accessible workplace for our community by matchmaking young people with employers in local government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Vision

Bloom in Bloomington dreams of a world where employment disparities are eliminated, our workforce reflects the diversity of the community and young people of all identities can feel seen by their government and be empowered to reach their full potential.

Core values

• We draw on the insights and opinions of people with different backgrounds and perspectives to inform our work.
• Equity, inclusion and belonging principles are at the forefront of what we do.
• We seek out partnerships with employers who are aligned with our mission and vision.
• The lives and voices of young people matter in the ways we shape Bloom in Bloomington.
• We serve as the catalyst that works to eliminate employment disparities in our community.
• Our work is guided by an urgency to create brilliant results and a better future for our young people.

Bloom in Bloomington internship program

Intern applications will be accepted from January 6th through March 14th, 2025. City of Bloomington staff will review qualified applicants, conduct first round interviews with candidates, facilitate introductory meetings with employers, and coordinate matching the interns with supervisors. Interns will have initial orientations prior to the start of their internships to learn professional etiquette skills such as requesting time off, dress code, appropriate use of cell phones, and basic software skills.

Apply to host an Bloom in Bloomington intern at your company - Employer Application. 

High School Internship Application (Ages 16-18) - Closes March 14th, 2025

Young Adult Internship Application (Ages 18-24) - Closes March 14th, 2025

Young adult internship

Young adult internships will begin the week of May 26th and run through August 15th, 2025. Two three-hour job preparedness orientation sessions will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza prior to the start of the internships the week of May 19th. This is a 12 week internship designed for young people aged 18 – 24 who are not in high school but live and/or attend college in the city of Bloomington.

High school internship

High school student internships will begin June 23rd and run through August 15th, 2025. Two three-hour job preparedness orientation sessions will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza prior to the start of the internships the week of June 16th. This is an 8 week internship for young people age 16+ who are either enrolled in a high school or reside in the city of Bloomington.

High school interns are expected to attend the Leadership Academy every Friday during their internship program. The Leadership Academy provides skill building opportunities such as public speaking, networking, and racial equity training.

Additional considerations are given to applicants who qualify for free or reduced lunch; and will be the first in their family to complete high school or college at the time of application.

Application Process & Timeline

The application portal for employers will be on-going from October 1st, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Intern applications will be accepted from January 6th through March 14th, 2025.

Application review will take place between March 17th and the end of that month, with interviews held the the first two weeks of April, 2025. Placements will be announced by the end of April, 2025. 

Orientations and Leadership Academy Descriptions

Interns will attend career readiness training prior to the start of their internships. They will learn skills such as professional etiquette, resume building, and how to use basic office software.

High school interns are expected to attend the Leadership Academy on Fridays during their internship program. The Leadership Academy provides skill building opportunities such as public speaking, networking, and racial equity training. Employers are expected to pay their interns for participation as this is a professional readiness program.

Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony will be held the evening of the last day of the internship on August 15th. Employers, supervisors, family, friends, and all of the interns are invited to attend. The ceremony will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza (1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431).

Mall of America – Leisure & Hospitality Sector 

The Mall of America is the leading retail/entertainment complex in the United States. With over 32,000,000 guests annually, we bring guests from around the world to Bloomington and the Twin Cities. We're so much more than "just a mall", we're a day-making experience! Interns will be placed in the areas of Human Resources, IT, Specialty Attractions, PR/Comms, and Community Relations. 

Projects throughout Internship: Will be very dependent on the interests of each intern and their placement within MOA's departments, but the 2023 interns supported project as diverse as:
- Staffing registers and food carts at various locations
- Supporting and providing feedback on stockroom/storage strategies
- Co-leading new hire orientation
- Creating resource materials for employees
- Leading and staffing various non-profit partnership events on-site
- Networking with leadership at all levels
- Helping plan and execute a team-wide celebration event
- Addressing IT support tickets
 

City of Bloomington – Communications Division 

The Communications Division negotiates and monitors the cable television franchise with Comcast and handles customer complaints. It also provides government programming on The Bloomington Channel 14, produces newsletters such as the Bloomington Briefing and maintains the City's website and social media accounts.

Projects throughout Internship: learn about communications, including writing and photography for weekly/monthly newsletter, video production and on-camera news and storytelling, interviewing, camera and editing skills, graphic design, public relations and media releases, website and social media marketing.

Larkin Hoffman – Law 

Larkin Hoffman provides counsel to a wide variety of organizations, from small businesses and nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, in many areas of practice including corporate and governance matters, litigation, real estate, government relations, labor and employment, intellectual property, information technology, franchising and taxation. The firm also serves the needs of individuals in many areas including trusts and estates and family law. 

Experience Level Desired: Experienced applicants.

Projects throughout Internship: As an intern will work on projects associated with our Land Use / Real Estate legal department.

City of Bloomington – Public Works 

Bloomington Public Works maintains street and parks, provides engineering services, protects Bloomington's wetlands, manages solid waste and recycling services, coordinates sustainability initiatives, delivers clean, safe drinking water, and provides wastewater services to the Bloomington community all year round. 

Projects throughout Internship: 

• Help plan for and participate in community outreach events to share information about sustainability and solid waste and recycling programs.
• Help with the completion of a solid waste rate study.
• Assist with processing water rebate applications including identifying properties on a map and looking up eligible rebate items on the internet.
• Assist with alphabetization and organization of walk up and opt out forms for our garbage and recycling programs.
• Assist with organizing materials and information for organics outreach, energy assistance outreach, and swap events.
• Assist with the writing and review of program materials for publication.

City of Bloomington – Housing and Redevelopment Authority

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Bloomington (HRA) works along the whole housing continuum, from outside unsheltered homelessness to rent assistance, homebuyer education and services, housing preservation and housing creation to serve current and new residents of the City of Bloomington, who are not adequately served by the marketplace.

Projects throughout Internship: Interns will be expected to work on projects that are moving the HRA from paper to integrated technology, this may include some engagement with clients as well as potential for community engagement events around housing. Interns will also be tasked with some marketing and communication tasks related to the broader community as well as population specific - including but not limited to webpages, print and social media
 

City of Bloomington - Assessing Division
The City of Bloomington Assessor's Office determines the value of approximately 32,000 parcels within the city for property tax purposes. Every property within the City of Bloomington is visited by an appraiser at least once every five years. Valuations follow the standards established by the Minnesota Department of Revenue, State Board of Assessors, and State Statutes. Assessors study construction, sales data, and neighborhood trends to establish valuation standards in their appraisal work. Property values, which include the land and buildings, change continuously with changing market conditions and changes in physical attributes. 

Projects throughout Internship: Scanning legacy paper files, data cleanup, entry-level data analysis, and residential training + field work.

City of Bloomington – Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging 

The Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging focuses on ensuring fairness and justice in policy, programs, and practices so racial inequities are eliminated. The City of Bloomington is committed to investigating how longstanding systems, policies, and practices create and sustain racial disparities in our communities.

Projects throughout Internship: 

• Administer surveys and facilitate discussions to better understand city priorities and experiences.
• Seek out creative solutions and activities that provide meaningful experiences for Bloomington residents that respect their lived experiences, values, and perspectives.
• Develop online marketing resources (webpages, videos, slideshows) to advertise office programming. 
• Create presentations for stakeholders and city leaders.
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City of Bloomington – Police Department 

Bloomington Police Department within City of Bloomington. Approximately 150+ staff members, both civilian and sworn. The Bloomington Police Department (BPD)’s core value is “Respect.” Respect is at the core of everything we do. Simply put, because we always respect our community members and visitors, we will never show them disrespect and will protect both (those who are law abiding and those who chose not to follow the law). 

Projects throughout Internship: Interns will work on projects identified based on interest and skill level. Intern would be placed within the Community Services Unit to assist with community outreach and programs. In house records management. On the job shadowing of Law enforcement skills such as traffic enforcement, crime scene processing, investigations, and records management.

High school cohort

Jazzmyna Alcenat

Alexis Gutierrez Navarro

Weemon Yeakehson

Young adult cohort

Zuhur Abdi

Emmanuel O Ayelomi

Ruby Cibik

Jordon Jackson

Kayla McMayer

Isela Cereso Mendiola