IT Student Internship Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The IT Student Internship Program developed and administered by Palm Beach County’s Information Systems Services (ISS) Department affords the opportunity for highly motivated and qualified students to gain valuable on-the-job training and learn about technology professions in the government sector. Student employees and interns are paid bi-weekly for their hours worked based on the agreed-upon hourly rate. Not only do the students benefit from this program by earning credit hours and a salary, but the County benefits as well through salary savings resulting in lower service costs and the identification of student employees and interns as a potential source of future talent for entry-level IT careers within County government. Furthermore, the “try before you buy” approach reduces organizational risk and helps ensure that ISS continues to hire and maintain an excellent, dedicated, and highly skilled IT workforce. The program started as a pilot project in 2012 and was officially adopted on August 15, 2014. Since its inception, a total of thirty-one students from six local universities have participated in the program, six of which have been hired on a permanent, full-time basis.