Leadership Program Continues Amid Pandemic

CARMEL, NY — In spite of the new coronavirus pandemic, a Putnam County leadership program is continuing this summer. In 2013, Putnam County introduced the Putnam Invests In Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program, which has given high school, college and graduate students the opportunity to intern with county offices.

The idea was first proposed by County Executive MaryEllen Odell with the support of the Putnam County Legislature. Their goal was to provide young residents with hands-on professional experience in county government.

As COVID- 19 became a critical issue by early spring, the county was not sure whether or not PILOT would be among many other summer programs having to shut their doors. However, knowing the positive impact the program has had on students in the past, Odell said she was committed to ensuring this experience for them.

The program was initially delayed but has since begun. It was kicked off with a socially distanced orientation June 30.

This year, the PILOT applicants are more than just summer interns; they are also certified contact tracers. While the students were unsure until recently if they would be able to participate in the program per usual, many of them were still determined to spend their summer doing something impactful for their community. They took a course to become contact tracers but, fortunately, due to a manageable caseload, interns were able to return to their previously scheduled summer work plans.

Now placed in county departments, many interns have still been able to aid in fighting the current pandemic. Intern Emily Boeri has said that within her first few days at the health department she was able to help create COVID-19 information pamphlets as well as assemble testing kits.

Even with precautions being taken in and out of the office, the interns have had to become creative with their daily tasks, as they are unable to communicate with each other as usual. The perseverance of our Putnam County students has really shined through over the past few months.

Every intern and their department has had to adjust, but as said by Jennifer Cassidy, of the county’s Historian office, “I have no doubt that PILOT interns will rise to the challenges on and off site.”