Page 137 - City of Mansfield FY22 Operarting Budget

CITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the City of Mansfield Internship Program is to provide students with
the best experience possible to fit their educational and career needs in order for them
to gain industry knowledge, provide networking opportunities, and obtain hands-on
exposure and skill development.

Services Provided
• A safe environment and flexible working schedule for all interns.
• Educational and training opportunities that support intern’s career development
while building a network of potential future hires.
• The opportunity for interns to build relationships with surrounding employees and community
leaders.

Accomplishments in FY 2020-2021
• Received 40+ applications for the program, including over a dozen applicants who responded to
advertising efforts at local colleges/universities.
• Placed two Mansfield Independent School District interns for the FY21 academic year and hired
six interns in the spring and summer rotations.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive program framework, educational materials and
manuals, as well as a complete set of marketing products to promote the program.

FY 2021-2022 Goals and Objectives

1. Tailor a 12-36 week rotational internship that is specific to the departments related to the student’s
education or career/interest path.
• Departments will provide an outline of the mentors, projects, and focus areas the intern will be
assigned to in order to align the framework with the intern’s goals.
• All department submissions will be evaluated in accordance with best practices by the program
manager.
• Interns will further outline their interests in onboarding procedures, including questionnaires, to
further advance mentors’ understanding of their skills, learning style, and career interests.

2. Intern mentors will prioritize creating opportunities for the intern to shadow the staff member and
attend meetings with other staff and professionals.
• All mentors will receive feedback and coaching on mentorship best practices.
• Department rotational outline will have opportunities for networking identified.

3. Focus on hands-on exposure and skill development by creating and assigning projects that are
appropriate for the intern’s education path or related certifications
• Mentors must identify projects and need areas to justify the appropriate placement of an intern
with their department.
• Interns should leave with a total of 3-5 tangible products of varying difficulty level that they can
include in their portfolio to demonstrate their contribution and skill level.
• Interns and mentors will complete various feedback forms throughout the program year in order
to provide constructive criticism and inform the continued development and growth of the
program.

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