“Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie Stepanek, American Poet

The 2020 Municipal Intern Program (MIP) was ready to kick off its 25th year connecting grads and undergrads to the opportunities of paid summer internships. Municipal projects were finalized, and we were planning a fun, interactive Municipal Intern Fair. The Fair, however, was scheduled for March 26, just as Allegheny County locked down for COVID-19. It was clear to us then that this year’s MIP would have to take a dramatic pivot.

Our unique, capacity-building program would not be possible without the donation of knowledge and assistance from our academic partners. As the Intern Project Coordinator, I was responsible for cultivating our interns’ professional development in collaboration with staff from Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA).

The Academy’s use of a live-streaming platform allowed us to have multiple sessions, including two online Development Sessions and one-on-one coaching, as compared to just one session in previous years.

The first Development Session, “How to Get the Most Out of Your Internship,” featured Natasha Williams, Assistant Director of Career Services, GSPIA. She discussed the importance of transferrable skills, networking, and keeping a resume up to date. She advised the interns to develop skills, like grant writing and software usage early in their career. Asking their supervisors questions and actively seeking out new opportunities would grant them a successful internship experience.

Also joining the first session was Emily Woodard, Marketing and Community Relations Manager from Tri-COG Land Bank, a 2019 MIP Graduate. She offered her perspective as the Social Media and Marketing Liaison intern at Steel Rivers Council of Governments. Research skills, synthesizing information, and soft skills were the tools Emily found most useful when entering the workforce after school. She encouraged our interns to network, think outside the box, and try new things during their internship experience.

The second online Development Session featured speakers Diane Taylor, Associate Director, and Samantha Burney, Assistant Director, of Career Services at CMU Heinz College. Their presentation outlined the ways our interns can enhance their resumes, interview skills, and job-searching skills. The discussion included resume structure, job search strategies, and tackling various interview questions. Interns participated in small workshop groups for one-on-one coaching opportunities with Diane and Samantha as well as Natasha Williams.

The third online session focused on career adaptability and the importance of strong self-awareness. This session, led by Susan G. Hockenberry Coaching and Consulting, challenged the students to consider their future through a multi-faceted approach that factors aspects of personal success, work-life balance, and more. Following the two-hour session, interns could also participate in one-hour coaching sessions.

Our 2020 MIP Development Sessions gave our interns instruction on enhancing their professional skills as they pursue a career or higher education. It is with the dedication of our academic partners that we can continue providing our Municipal Interns with high-quality professional skill development. As I conclude my internship with the Academy, I look back and realize how much I have learned alongside the Intern Class of 2020.

– Mary Romine, Project Coordinator, Local Government Academy