Holiday Interns

Many W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. operatives decide to take off work during the holiday season. The ones who stay have loads more work to do. To help with this backlog, Junior Sprouts are introduced. These are children in training to become spies themselves, and one of the best ways to get them used to the job is to let them work under an experienced expert. Most Introductory Interns stay around headquarters, helping Base Ops or acting as assistants to Commanders and other higher ups.
While an intern is not the traditional holiday 'gift' the average person would expect, most operatives are appreciative of the extra help around. They are able to focus on more important tasks, or simply slack on the job because the interns stand by awaiting every command. From coffee runs to print jobs to monitoring boring surveillance footage, the holiday season becomes quite chill and relaxed.
The interns themselves don't mind one bit, either. They enjoy the thrill of new things and the sophisticated spy sceene they just stepped into, while their mentors have already been there and done that and may be tired of the monotony of the job.

History

From the conception of W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P., young ones have been trained up under experienced mentors. Before reaching this stage, they must take and pass several classes to prove they have grasped the gist of their assignment. These tests also help W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. to detrermine the level at which the young agents should begin.

Execution

Most Introductory Interns start off around the base, helping desk agents with administrative tasks, data entry, coffee runs, print jobs, and more. Some advanced interns are privileged to join field agents on excursions outside of the office. Due to the holiday season, the offices are typically less strict and more chill. There are fun games and events for the interns and the experienced agents. The higher ups also tend to be more lenient, be that because they are also in a festive mood, or they are not around to witness workers slacking.

Participants

The interns are the primary focus of this event. At the start of the holiday season, several children in training are selected to become part of the program. Their areas are also assigned. Some of them work with scientists, while others work with Base Operatives, and yet others work with Field Agents. These assignments are strategically determined by the skillset of each individual child.

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Commander McCox Gives Newbies the Rundown:
The holiday season. It's a joyous time for most. Time to be with family and friends. But, here at W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P., the show must go on. Crime doesn't take a day off. In fact, it often ramps up this time of year. Still, what kind of organization would we be if we didn't care about our operatives? Our benefits plans are state-of-the art, so those who want a vacation it can take it. But the people who stay receive a hefty gift in their paychecks, and a nice little helper, too.
But the gift of internship is appreciate by both parties. Winter break in schools allow for our younger agents in training to disappear from their real lives and fully immerse themselves here. They can learn the ropes from experienced operatives, and have lots of fun. We have games and contests around the office, and the kiddos enjoy the thrill of the little missions they are assigned to--even if the 'missions' are dumping the recycling bin in the office or taking an HTPMD for a walk.
Ah... I remember when I begged my parents for a pet. They told me I'd better walk the thing twice every day, and if a 'gift' popped up on my mother's carpet, I would be tost. Ha ha. Well. I sure did learn my lesson. I was grounded for like three weeks! Sent my poor dog back to the shelter. Oh well. I thought I'd get another pet once I was grown, but animals weren't allowed in my college dorm. Or the apartment I got after graduating. Then, when I finally got my own house, my wife wasn't havin' it. *sigh* Peering in on the scientists training HTPMDs every now and then will have to do.

Important Locations

• Jack Pine Tower

Related Organizations

• W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P.