Ramsey County college students ease their ways into full-time workforce

Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County News@RamseyCounty internships give local college students two years of in-depth experienceRamsey County college students ease their ways into full-time workforce
-
County News Article
Ramsey County college students ease their ways into full-time workforce
@RamseyCounty internships give local college students two years of in-depth experience
In their first economics classes, college students learn about opportunity cost and how doing one thing means missing out on something else. If they aren’t financially secure, they’re already well aware of that, especially if it has meant balancing a job and a full course load, often putting their education at risk.
Ramsey County, Minn. was aware of that. With an eye toward helping local college students succeed, the county manager’s office is awarding paid internships, spanning two academic years, to local college students at two-year Saint Paul College and four-year Metropolitan State University-Twin Cities.
“A lot of students just drop out of school because they can’t afford it,” said Carol Zierman, a senior analyst in the county’s policy and planning department. “That’s common among first-generation students, and the finances of a college education make it even harder for them to succeed.”
But a 20-hour work week, nine months of the school year, at $15 an hour takes a bite out of that challenge. The Progressive Student Internship Program gives them increasing responsibilities and challenges, and builds their resumes in the process.
“By the time the student completes their undergraduate degree, they’ve gained two years of professional experience and three serious professional references,” she said. “They’re in a whole different position when they apply for jobs.”
Though the program isn’t specifically aimed at recruiting students to come work for the county, Zierman said the increased familiarity they gain isn’t a bad thing.
“It certainly gives them exposure to all the things the county does,” she said. “They also might not be ready to take on their internship jobs full time when they graduate, but their experience will certainly put them ahead of the curve.”
The current interns, one a 22-year-old accounting student and the other a 38-year-old former YWCA manager, are spending their first year in the finance and parks and recreation departments, respectively. The next cohort will be assigned to human services and property assessing and tax departments.
Khalid Dayib is a fourth-year student at Metropolitan State, working on a double major in accounting and management information systems. He heard about the program from an email sent to all accounting majors, but was already familiar with local government after spending the summer of 2015 working for Minneapolis’ finance department.
So far, he’s enjoying the experience.
“I’ve had internships before where they give you something to do and you end up having a lot of free time,” he said. “I enjoy staying busy, which I do here, having substantial work to do I can transfer my skills into the next position.”
He’s coming back for the next academic year while he finishes his second major, but over the summer, he’ll be working in the state’s department of revenue, in large part because of the strength of his progressive internship with Ramsey County.
Much of Dayib’s work recently has been on credit card payment security standard compliance throughout the county, which has prompted work with 24 different departments. He will present his findings to the county audit committee in April.
His experience in city administration helped him adjust quickly, but not all interns will have his background.
“The county manager’s office contributes the salaries but the departments that take the interns make major investments in terms of time and supervision for each of the roles,” Zierman said, pointing out that the responsibilities each intern takes on is on par with that of a full-time staff member.
She said the ideal schedule will have students taking on the internships during their sophomore and junior years.
“It’s to make sure we as an employer are really providing the opportunity for our community to get experience, and our young leaders to get experience to reach their greatest potential.”
The program’s position offerings are based on the opportunities available to intern-level staffers in the county’s four different divisions: health and wellness, public safety and justice, economic growth and community investment, and public information and records.
“We’re trying to make sure every service team has an opportunity to have an intern,” Zierman said.
In May, the program will expand to a post-bachelor’s degree graduate fellows finance track, a field that has proven hard for recruiting because of the competitive disadvantage inherent in public sector salaries.
Dayib has been tapped to help plan that finance track.
“I know what will appeal to people my age, how the county can attract applicants,” he said, though he admitted he had his eye on one of the six spots after he finishes his undergraduate degrees.
@RamseyCounty internships give local college students two years of in-depth experience2016-03-21County News Article2018-06-01
@RamseyCounty internships give local college students two years of in-depth experience
In their first economics classes, college students learn about opportunity cost and how doing one thing means missing out on something else. If they aren’t financially secure, they’re already well aware of that, especially if it has meant balancing a job and a full course load, often putting their education at risk.
Ramsey County, Minn. was aware of that. With an eye toward helping local college students succeed, the county manager’s office is awarding paid internships, spanning two academic years, to local college students at two-year Saint Paul College and four-year Metropolitan State University-Twin Cities.
“A lot of students just drop out of school because they can’t afford it,” said Carol Zierman, a senior analyst in the county’s policy and planning department. “That’s common among first-generation students, and the finances of a college education make it even harder for them to succeed.”
But a 20-hour work week, nine months of the school year, at $15 an hour takes a bite out of that challenge. The Progressive Student Internship Program gives them increasing responsibilities and challenges, and builds their resumes in the process.
“By the time the student completes their undergraduate degree, they’ve gained two years of professional experience and three serious professional references,” she said. “They’re in a whole different position when they apply for jobs.”
Though the program isn’t specifically aimed at recruiting students to come work for the county, Zierman said the increased familiarity they gain isn’t a bad thing.
“It certainly gives them exposure to all the things the county does,” she said. “They also might not be ready to take on their internship jobs full time when they graduate, but their experience will certainly put them ahead of the curve.”
The current interns, one a 22-year-old accounting student and the other a 38-year-old former YWCA manager, are spending their first year in the finance and parks and recreation departments, respectively. The next cohort will be assigned to human services and property assessing and tax departments.
Khalid Dayib is a fourth-year student at Metropolitan State, working on a double major in accounting and management information systems. He heard about the program from an email sent to all accounting majors, but was already familiar with local government after spending the summer of 2015 working for Minneapolis’ finance department.
So far, he’s enjoying the experience.
“I’ve had internships before where they give you something to do and you end up having a lot of free time,” he said. “I enjoy staying busy, which I do here, having substantial work to do I can transfer my skills into the next position.”
He’s coming back for the next academic year while he finishes his second major, but over the summer, he’ll be working in the state’s department of revenue, in large part because of the strength of his progressive internship with Ramsey County.
Much of Dayib’s work recently has been on credit card payment security standard compliance throughout the county, which has prompted work with 24 different departments. He will present his findings to the county audit committee in April.
His experience in city administration helped him adjust quickly, but not all interns will have his background.
“The county manager’s office contributes the salaries but the departments that take the interns make major investments in terms of time and supervision for each of the roles,” Zierman said, pointing out that the responsibilities each intern takes on is on par with that of a full-time staff member.
She said the ideal schedule will have students taking on the internships during their sophomore and junior years.
“It’s to make sure we as an employer are really providing the opportunity for our community to get experience, and our young leaders to get experience to reach their greatest potential.”
The program’s position offerings are based on the opportunities available to intern-level staffers in the county’s four different divisions: health and wellness, public safety and justice, economic growth and community investment, and public information and records.
“We’re trying to make sure every service team has an opportunity to have an intern,” Zierman said.
In May, the program will expand to a post-bachelor’s degree graduate fellows finance track, a field that has proven hard for recruiting because of the competitive disadvantage inherent in public sector salaries.
Dayib has been tapped to help plan that finance track.
“I know what will appeal to people my age, how the county can attract applicants,” he said, though he admitted he had his eye on one of the six spots after he finishes his undergraduate degrees.
Hero 1
About Charlie Ban (Full Bio)
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer
Charlie is the County News digital editor and senior writer.More from Charlie Ban
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: Long-Term Strategies for Strengthening the Child Care Workforce (Rural/Smaller Counties)
Mar. 21, 2023 , 2:15 pm – 3:15 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here. -
Blog
Webinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
For county governments, a strong and fully staffed behavioral health workforce is key to supporting people living with behavioral health conditions. Like other sectors, county governments are experiencing a shortage in local behavioral health workforce. -
Blog
The State of the Nation's Workforce: January County Explorer Update
County governments employ more than 3.6 million public servants.1 As one of the largest collective employers in the country, county leaders understand the importance of a thriving labor market. -
County News
Retirement snag lies in wait for some county workers, officials
The Windfall Elimination Provision is complicating retirement planning for county employees and officials. -
County News
‘Fringe’ benefits help attract, retain employees
“For all the talk of the importance of culture, wages and benefits are always the bedrock” of employee attraction and retention. -
Reports & Toolkits
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: Long-Term Strategies for Strengthening the Child Care Workforce (Rural/Smaller Counties)
March 21, 2023 , 2:15 pm – 3:15 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here.03212:15 pm<p>Unable to attend?
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: Long-Term Strategies for Strengthening the Child Care Workforce (Urban/Larger Counties)
March 22, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmSince February 2020, the child care sector has lost nearly 60,000 educators. Because of low pay and lack of access to health care benefits and other types of support, it can be difficult to recruit and retain qualified child care providers.03222:00 pm<p>Since February 2020, the child care sector has lost nearly 60,000 educators.
-
Basic page
Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential,
Contact
-
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer(202) 942-4210
Related Resources
-
Blog
Webinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
For county governments, a strong and fully staffed behavioral health workforce is key to supporting people living with behavioral health conditions. Like other sectors, county governments are experiencing a shortage in local behavioral health workforce. -
Blog
The State of the Nation's Workforce: January County Explorer Update
County governments employ more than 3.6 million public servants.1 As one of the largest collective employers in the country, county leaders understand the importance of a thriving labor market. -
County News
Retirement snag lies in wait for some county workers, officials
The Windfall Elimination Provision is complicating retirement planning for county employees and officials.
-
Reports & Toolkits
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation. -
Press Release
State and Local Government Groups Call for National Strategy to Address Urgent Workforce Needs
As public and private employers face a growing challenge to find the talent they need for a wide range of jobs, the leading organizations that represent state and local governments call for a national strategy to invest in the nation’s workforce. -
Reports & Toolkits
Counties and the American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Fund: Workforce Development
Across the nation, counties have experienced high unemployment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, over 300 counties experienced an unemployment rate of 10 percent or higher. The Recovery Fund provides counties the opportunity to bolster and strengthen the local workforce
Related Events
-
21Mar2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: Long-Term Strategies for Strengthening the Child Care Workforce (Rural/Smaller Counties)
Mar. 21, 2023 , 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm -
22Mar2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: Long-Term Strategies for Strengthening the Child Care Workforce (Urban/Larger Counties)
Mar. 22, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Learn More