Country Financial, University of Illinois open DigitaLab

Posted on November 4, 2017
The DigitaLab has 14 interns, such as University of Illinois sophomore Malini Mahes (pictured), who work to increase IT for Country Financial. (Photo courtesy Country Financial/Steve Fast)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Country Financial is working with the University of Illinois in Champaign to increase IT support for the company.

14 paid interns, overseen by a full-time site manager, will assist in building up the company’s digital capabilities and work to create a Country Financial mobile app.

Country spokesman Brad Hildestad said the need for IT workers will increase in the future, which made partnering with U of I a no-brainer.

“It’s well known that the demand for IT talent is going to be greater than the supply in the future,” Hildestad explained. “So this is one source of IT talent, both today and in the future. It also puts us in a position to take advantage of the young, bright minds and innovation thought that’s happening over at the University of Illinois at Champaign.”

Hildestad mentioned the interns began to work over the last two weeks. He did not comment on the level of investment Country Financial made for the DigitaLab.

Hildestad says the DigitaLab will make things easier for Country Financial’s consumers.

“As consumers and Country Financial customers, this will help us make sure we’re providing all of the capabilities they need as a consumer,” said Hildestad.

The DigitaLab is occupying about 2600 square feet of space in an existing building. Hildestad said the DigitaLab may increase the number of interns based on the lab’s needs and demands.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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