INTERN SPOTLIGHT: Meet Gavin Cronin
A collaboration with Bangor Savings Bank + Stay Work Play
Say hello to our 2026 summer intern, Gavin Cronin!
We’re thrilled to be joining forces once again with our friends and partners at Bangor Savings Bank as we continue our work from last summer to create a solid ecosystem for interns in the state (shoutout to our 2025 intern, Carleigh Brown, for her research and work laying the foundation of this project last year!)
This summer, we’re excited to introduce Gavin Cronin and work together with him as we launch the official first NH Intern Program, kicking off on June 18, 2026!
Stay Work Play: Can you introduce yourself and share what drew you to this internship with Bangor Savings Bank and Stay Work Play?
Gavin Cronin: As a rising junior at the University of New Hampshire studying Accounting, what drew me to this internship was Bangor Savings Bank’s focus on community and project based work. The opportunity to collaborate with Stay Work Play and support initiatives that help attract and retain young talent in New Hampshire was especially exciting to me. As I continue to explore my own career path, it's exciting to contribute to organizations that are helping shape opportunities for the next generation of professionals in the state.
SWP: What is the key focus of your internship project with Stay Work Play this summer?
GC: The key focus of my work with Stay Work Play this summer is to help organize and execute Stay Work Play’s Summer Intern Series. This includes creating schedules and layouts for the networking events and communicating with interns across New Hampshire. The goal of my internship is to bring interns together, create an environment to help interns build professional networks, and showcase everything NH has to offer.
SWP: Why do you think internships are so important for young people in New Hampshire?
GC: Internships give young people the opportunity to gain real-world experience, explore potential career paths, and build professional connections before entering the workforce full-time. In New Hampshire especially, internships help students discover the incredible opportunities available right here in the state. They can be a powerful way to connect young talent with local employers and communities, making it easier to envision a future in New Hampshire.
SWP: Why is it important for interns to connect with each other, not just employers?
GC: Connecting with other interns is just as important as connecting with employers. By connecting with other interns, you are expanding your professional network that will last beyond the summer. Interns are often navigating similar experiences, challenges, and career decisions, making it easy to learn from one another. Building these connections also helps create a stronger sense of community and belonging within New Hampshire's young workforce.
SWP: What do you think makes it easier (or harder) for young people to build a life here?
GC: I think New Hampshire offers many advantages for young people, including strong communities, a high quality of life, and growing career opportunities. At the same time, challenges like housing affordability, child care costs, and awareness of available career paths can make it harder for young professionals to see a long-term future here.
SWP: If your friends from out of state visited for a weekend, what’s your go-to NH itinerary?
GC: The first day I would start off with a morning hike at Mount Major. I think it's one of the best hikes for visitors because the trail is very manageable and offers incredible views of Lake Winnipesaukee at the top. Then I would head into town and grab dinner and ice cream at a local restaurant. On my second day I would take my friends up north to Diana's Baths. The waterfalls and natural pools are unique, easy to access, and a great example of New Hampshire's natural beauty. I would finish the day off with a round of golf in North Conway, dinner at the Muddy Moose, and of course, a sweet treat from Zeb’s.
SWP: Let’s hear your Top 5 in NH, anything goes!
GC: My top places in NH are Hop + Grind at UNH for a great burger, Merrymeeting Lake or Big Island Pond for family fun and water sports, Waterville, Loon, and Cannon Mountain for some east coast skiing, Pete’s Scoop in Derry for many tasty ice cream flavors, and North Conway for all the restaurants and ice cream, attractions, and of course the mountains.
Huge thank you to Gavin for his work helping us continue to expand the experience for NH interns (+ a shoutout to Carleigh Brown who helped us start this project in 2025!), and to our valued Board of Advisors member, Bangor Savings Bank, for their support.
Follow along with our socials, @stayworkplay!