Worcester County Career Internship Program

Creating our future today

Worcester County Economic Development, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, and Mid Atlantic Institute for Space and Technology (MIST) Initiative have developed a Career Internship Program (CIP) to help employers find energetic, highly motivated employees; satisfy their short term staffing needs; and build positive relationships within the community.

For interns, the CIP offers them the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in a field of interest to help them make determinations regarding future career choices, while also connecting with professionals currently working in those fields.

The hiring process is comparable to that of hiring a new employee, with employees looking for individuals who are hard-working, willing to learn, goal oriented, resourceful and trustworthy. Successful internship programs are well planned and should clearly outline the following:

  • Length of internship
  • Intern duties/responsibilities
  • Compensation
  • Developing a letter of agreement
  • Setting expectations
  • Establishing policies and procedures
  • Setting goals
  • Tracking progress
  • Feedback progress

Of importance to both employers and interns is that the CIP provides each with a point of contact. The Internship Coordinator will recruit employers and match them with interns with similar knowledge and interests. Periodic site visits will be made to the place of employment to confer with the sponsor and the intern and monthly status reports will be provided to the partnership. Interns will be provided with opportunities to experience the world of work within 10 career clusters that represent core business functions across our region. Multiple career pathways exist within each career cluster as follows:

  • Arts media and communication
  • Business management and finance
  • Consumer service, hospitality and tourism
  • Construction and development
  • Environmental, agricultural and natural resources
  • Health and biosciences
  • Human resource services
  • Information technology
  • Manufacturing, engineering and technology
  • Transportation technologies

Prospective interns will be recruited from contacts within the partnership. The application process consists of providing both an application and a recommendation form. Transcripts will be required if the sponsor so desires

The employer (sponsor) will pay the intern’s hourly wages, provide workman’s compensation insurance, comply with all laws regarding withholding and payment of payroll taxes, and complete I-9 forms. Employers are required to cover income, social security and Medicare taxes on stipends.