Last summer, NJMMA launched The Municipal Connection Internship Program, an expansion of the already successful internship program between Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) and Hillsborough Township. Municipal internships became available to New Jersey community college students statewide through a new partnership between NJMMA and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC).
Interns play a crucial role in municipalities, as they bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table. They are often young and energetic, eager to learn and contribute to their community. Interns can also be a great recruitment pool for municipalities, as they may be more likely to consider working for the city or town where they completed their internship.
Over the past few years, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people looking to work in local government. One of the main reasons for this decline is the perception that local government jobs are less attractive than those in the private sector. Many people believe that local government jobs offer lower salaries, limited career advancement opportunities, and fewer benefits than those in the private sector. Additionally, the bureaucratic nature of local government work can be unappealing to some individuals that prefer a more dynamic and fast-paced work environment. Furthermore, the aging workforce in local government means that there is a need to attract younger workers to fill the positions of those who are moving into retirement. Addressing these concerns and promoting the benefits of working in local government -- including job security, opportunities for public service, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on the community -- can help attract and retain more workers in local government.
The Municipal Connection Internship Program offers hands-on experience in many diverse areas of the public sector, including public administration, accounting, engineering, public policy, human resources, communication and information, political science, and business.
We encourage all town administrators to reach out to their local liaisons for additional info on the internship program. The list of liaisons per township can be found here.