Programs for Students interested in careers in Local Government

• Careers in Local Government Management

  A career in local government is an excellent option for those who have a passion for public service. Public service is often about what you give rather than what you receive, and putting the collective good before the needs of individuals. Public service is about leadership, possibility, innovation, empowerment, and relationships.

  For more information, please visit https://icma.org/local-government-management-career-overview

• Meeting with University Career Centers

  Held every year. The Two-County Next Generation Committee meets once per year with university career center staff to educate them about local government careers and discuss opportunities such as the Regional Internship and Fellowship Program as well as local government representation at university job fairs.

   

• Regional Internship Program

  Held every year (in summer).  Positions are posted by Feb/March.

  Paid or unpaid (in person/virtual) internships for university students are offered by local government agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. The positions are posted on the online job board www.calopps.org.

  For more information, contact Chaten Berry at cberry@smcgov.org.

  For more info:

  ICMA Management Internship GuideDownload

  

  How to Create a Successful Virtual Internship Program

  Three lessons from Intel.

  Testimonials

  

  “I had an amazing experience as a JFY Summer Intern. I worked on a very collaborative and welcoming team. My supervisor was very attentive and created an environment that was conducive to my personal and professional growth. Through my experience, I found clarity in my long term goals and was encouraged to establish an action plan to allow me to achieve these goals. I was exposed to a plethora of resources through the career development project and also through being connected to working professionals in the County that were eager to answer my questions. I feel very privileged to have experienced this internship.”

  

  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my internship thus far at valley water. My mentor Gabriel takes the time to ensure I understand my job, community outreach and the inner workings of valley water. We are both not from San Jose so I appreciate the time he took show me various creeks and maps to become familiar with the landscape. The Intern program emphasizes professional growth which bleeds into personal growth. The workshops have taught me the importance of networking, soft skills and business acumen. All valuable skills I will continue to use after this internship. The nice cherry on top is the employees outside the program are beyond welcoming and have made me feel like one of them.