City of Homestead Celebrates the Success of the First Citywide College Summer Internship Program
The City of Homestead has officially completed the college summer internship program with resounding success. The program, which spanned six weeks, not only made a significant impact on the students who interned but also on the departments involved. This year, the program welcomed a total of 15 interns, 11 Homestead residents, who contributed their talents and enthusiasm to various city departments.
The internship program provided valuable opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience in a variety of government operations. Interns worked across multiple departments, including the City Clerk’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Innovation and Technology Department, Parks & Recreation, Public Information Office, Public Works, and Electric Utilities. Each department benefited from the interns’ fresh perspectives and skills, contributing to the overall efficiency and success of city operations.
Throughout the program, interns engaged in various activities, including supporting daily administrative tasks and contributing to projects like developing an online dashboard. This dashboard was designed to track the city’s responsiveness to utility service connections, aligning with the City’s commitment to providing same-day connections and emphasizing data-driven decision-making. Their contributions have been instrumental in supporting the city’s mission to provide exceptional services to the community while educating students about the functions and various roles that city departments play in residents’ lives.
Reflecting on the program’s success, City Manager Zerry Ihekwaba stated, ” Our summer internship program is more than just a learning experience—it’s an essential part of our strategy to build a strong pipeline of talent into the public sector. By providing these opportunities, we hope to inspire young professionals to join the City of Homestead team and contribute to the growth and well-being of our community. Their fresh perspectives and energy are vital to our ongoing success, and we are excited to welcome the next generation of public servants.”
At the conclusion of the program, the interns were presented with certificates of completion for dedicating their time and continuing their academic development. As the program concludes, the City of Homestead looks forward to future internships and continued collaboration with emerging talent for the 2025 summer internships. The success of this year’s program highlights the city’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of professionals and commitment to fostering professional growth within the community.
City Manager Zerry Ihekwaba stated, ” Our summer internship program is more than just a learning experience—it’s an essential part of our strategy to build a strong pipeline of talent into the public sector. The City Manager should consider providing all high school and vocational technical senior interns with pre-contracts for jobs when they complete their courses, college 2 or 4 year programs, graduate and/or receive certification in their respective fields. If so, they already have a job waiting, been inculcated into the system through the internship program and has adopted the culture and core values of the position being offered. If, not, the pre-contract is null and void. If we are going to develop and nurture a Homestead farm system for service and future jobs than you need to put some teeth (incentives) into the effort beyond that of a certificate for the refrigerator door.