From:
To: City Council
Subject: Paid internships
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 1:57:01 PM
Consideration of Approval of Early College Credit Capstone Internship Program with Analy High School and Santa Rosa Junior College and Budget Amendment for $2500 for two Students to Work with the City of Sebastopol
I would like to comment on an item before the council tonight. There aren’t a lot of details so perhaps I am missing critical information.
It’s a great opportunity for both students and the city to host internships while earning college credit. However, a paid internship does not seem in line with college placements; student interns in social work, nursing, teaching and dozen of other fields are not paid. In some cases masters and doctoral students receive stipends from limited grant funding. Student interns are placed in agencies to learn, not replace employees. Council voted to declare a fiscal crisis and the funds for employee training were slashed, so paying $5000 to high school students doesn’t make sense.
I heartily approve of student interns involved in city operations if the internship is not at a cost to the city during this financial crisis.
Respectfully,
M Kelly