Schools
CSUSB Palm Desert Students Getting Hands-On Experience At City Hall
The students are interning at the city of Palm Desert.
PALM DESERT, CA — Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert campus and the city of Palm Desert have launched a yearlong paid internship program to give students hands-on experience working in municipal government, officials announced Monday.
The program's inaugural class includes five students who are gaining experience in various city departments, including finance, economic development, planning, public works, the City Manager's Office and the library.
"CSUSB is an important educational partner in the Coachella Valley, and welcoming these talented students into City Hall creates a meaningful opportunity for everyone involved -- the students, the city and our community," Palm Desert City Manager Chris Escobedo said in a statement. "By giving students firsthand experience in local government, we hope to develop the next generation of public-sector professionals and inspire more talented individuals to consider careers in public service."
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Officials said the program is intended to give students a better understanding of how local government operates while helping them develop professional skills.
"The paid internship program in partnership with the city of Palm Desert provides CSUSB Palm Desert campus students not only with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience but to hone their strength and develop skills employers are looking for across industries, such as professional communication, critical thinking and leadership within a government setting," Tiffany Bitting, director of the campus' career center, said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
During the spring semester, participants will be able to select a city department for a more focused internship based on their interests and career goals, organizers said.
"The Coachella Valley has given me the opportunity to attend college and access valuable resources, so I would like to give back to the community by pursuing a career that allows me to serve and support the people who live here," intern Angel Hernandez Acevedo said.
