Student Internship Program Exposes Next Generation of Leaders to Public Service Careers

More than 1,600 Participants Since Launch of Program

Students Must Apply by December 21, 2018

The New York State Department of Civil Service today announced the availability of more than 400 new student internships for the upcoming spring 2019 semester throughout New York State government and encouraged students to apply before the December 21, 2018 application deadline.

The Student Intern Program is part of Governor Cuomo’s New New York Leaders Initiative, which focuses on attracting new and highly-skilled individuals to the State workforce through internship and fellowship programs. More than 1,600 students have participated in the Student Intern Program since its launch in 2012.

“Through Governor Cuomo’s Student Intern Program, New York State is attracting and developing the next generation of leaders interested in serving our great Empire State,” said Lola W. Brabham, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Civil Service. “I encourage all interested students to apply and to learn firsthand the value of a career in public service.”

“For SUNY students aspiring to work in public service, the Student Intern Program is a valuable offering from our partners at the Department of Civil Service,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “This program opens doors to real hands-on experiences throughout New York State government and a wide range of work in science, technology, and humanities-related professions, which complements the education SUNY provides on our 64 campuses.”

Student internships are available across a wide array of state agencies – both upstate and downstate – with opportunities in many professional disciplines such as information technology, criminal justice, human services, and engineering. Through this program, undergraduate and graduate students get valuable work experience and mentorship from government leaders and policy-makers.

“During college and graduate school, I had the good fortune to participate in a variety of internship programs with New York State,” said Jessica Rowe, Staffing Services Program Manager at the New York State Department of Civil Service. “It was through these internships that my interest in public service truly blossomed. I have come a long way from my first job with the State – planting flowers at a state park. Now, I have the opportunity to effect positive change on human resources policies that impact New Yorkers statewide.”

New York State has created a one-stop website – nysinternships.cs.ny.gov – that allows applicants to view job descriptions, create profiles, specify occupational interests, and upload resumes, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. Students can apply for multiple internships at the same time.

A current list of available internships for the spring 2019 session is available at: nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/spring2019. Student internships will continue to be added to the Student Internship Portal through December 17, 2018.

Student internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities throughout New York State, as well as New York residents enrolled elsewhere. Each intern works in a particular area within an Executive Branch agency or department.

Opportunities include paid and unpaid positions, and internships may provide academic credit depending on the policy of the intern’s educational institution.

Featured internships for the spring 2019 session include:

• Enforcement Intern (Alcoholic Beverage Control Board - New York City): Student interns will assist Investigators and other Enforcement staff in researching data, summarizing police and/or investigative reports, taking phone complaints regarding possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, and other daily activities. Interns will also participate in underage compliance checks and assist Investigators in the field.
• Classification and Compensation Intern (Department of Civil Service - Albany):  As part of the Department’s Division of Classification and Compensation, interns will gain an exposure to human resource management, division operations, and how budget considerations affect agency operations. Intern duties will consist of a range of activities that include position classification and reclassification, title allocation and reallocation, preparation of Classification Standards, review and analysis of requests for salary differentials, and occupational studies.
• Bureau of Pesticide Management Intern (Department of Environmental Conservation – Stony Brook): The intern will work with the Bureau of Pesticide Management’s Outreach and Web committees to proactively promote program objectives. Tasks may include drafting GovDelivery publications, updating program brochures, publicizing pollinator protection, and videotaping program objectives for training and social media promotion.
• Youth and Young Adult Services Intern (Office of Children and Family Services-Rensselaer): There are two internships in the Office of Youth and Young Adult Services. One will support the agency's Anti-Trafficking work, and the other will support the Youth Development and Cross-Over Youth program areas. Duties include research, supporting program initiatives and special events, creating, reading, reviewing, and evaluating program materials, managing program resources such as SharePoint, and other duties as assigned.

Three internship sessions are offered each year: spring, summer, and fall.