Public Service Intern

About the Internship

This internship offers a strong foundation of knowledge in local government and municipal management, coupled with the opportunity to develop essential skills for a career in public service. Interns will have the chance to apply their academic knowledge to meaningful projects that create a real impact in Guilford County.

Benefits Of The Internship

• Diverse Assignments
• Develop Professional Skills
• Gain insight into the working and functioning of County government
• Build your network
• Diversify your skillset
• Have a project deliverable for future jobs and resume development

Essential Functions/Duties

• Actively seek knowledge and understanding of the organization, its industry, and relevant processes.
• Shadow professionals, attend meetings, and observe daily operations to gain hands-on insights.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues and supervisors, both verbally and in writing.
• Approach tasks with a proactive mindset, identify potential challenges, and propose constructive solutions.
• Exhibit a positive attitude, maintain punctuality, and adhere to workplace dress code and etiquette.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills, adapt to changing priorities, and handle unforeseen tasks.
• Collect and analyze data or resource materials to support the writing of papers and reports.
• Attend assigned meetings and work to gain a functional understanding of the topics discussed.
• Fulfill any academic requirements set by your educational institution as part of completing the internship.

Potential for Continued Engagement

Successful interns may have the opportunity to continue working into the fall and spring semesters, for up to 10 hours/week. This could include:

• Assisting the IS Department or other Town departments’ staff with tasks and projects including policy evaluation, trend analysis, and other outreach.
• Completing research assignments of interest to the Intern and of use to County staff.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Must exhibit professional behavior and attitude and promote a professional team atmosphere.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Possess excellent customer service skills.
• Possess a desire to learn about government, specifically local government, operations.
• Passion for learning about data and how data-informed decision-making can benefit a community.
• Must be enrolled in a graduate program pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, or Public Affairs, Social Work, Data Science or similar program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• A diverse background of personal and work experience.
• Strong interest in local government management.

Key Details

• Type: Summer Internship
• Anticipated Start Date: May 2026