Throughout the summer, interns across departments including Accounting, Commercial Banking, Mortgage, Operations, Human Resources, Retail Support, and many others gained valuable hands-on experience while supporting meaningful projects throughout the bank.
Beyond their day-to-day responsibilities, interns developed skills in communication, networking, collaboration, attention to detail, and technical tools like Excel and banking systems. Many also took advantage of job shadow opportunities to gain a behind-the-scenes look at different departments across the bank. Whether shadowing employees such as Matt Wezeman, Loss Prevention Manager, Brent VandenBosch in Secondary Markets, or team members in other areas of the organization, interns gained valuable insight into the roles, responsibilities, and collaboration that help drive Mercantile's success each day.
In addition, interns attended networking events such as West Michigan Intern Connect, where they connected with professionals and fellow interns while learning more about potential career paths and opportunities within the industry. The value of building those connections was a common theme among interns. As Commercial Loan Support Intern Stella Malon shared, "Definitely take the time just to get to know people personally and professionally because you never know where a conversation might lead you."
At the heart of the internship experience is Mercantile's culture. Interns consistently described the welcoming environment, supportive teams, and genuine relationships they are building. As Talent & Culture Intern Christian Henley shared, "The workplace culture is truly unique. Throughout my internship I have felt very comfortable and accepted."
As we recognize National Intern Day, we thank our interns for their hard work, curiosity, and enthusiasm this summer. Their contributions have made a positive impact across the bank, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the future.