Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Five college students may get an opportunity during the upcoming academic year to gain practical experience interning for the city of Granbury.
The paid practicums are included in the proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year that was prepared by city staff, but the City Council has not yet approved it. The council will vote to adopt a budget in September, and could make changes before then.
Neither the mayor nor any members of the council expressed opposition to the internship program during the budget workshop held Monday, June 5 at the Lake Granbu0ry Conference Center.
Internships are an element of the strategic goals adopted by the City Council last year. They are viewed as a way to increase the city’s employee candidate pool.
If the council agrees, there will be one planning intern, one engineering intern, one in the Economic Development department, and two in the Communications department.
In Communications, one student will focus on graphics, working with multiple city departments under the supervision of Communications Manager Jeff Newpher, and the other will gain experience with TV production.
According to Human Resources Manager Tracie Sorrells, the internships will be posted along with regular job openings and will likely be posted a few weeks prior to the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.
In an email to the Hood County News, Sorrells stated that pay will probably be $15 per hour for approximately 20 hours per week but could vary.
Newpher said he spoke about the city’s planned internship program to university leadership at Tarleton State University and to 15 senior students in the Advanced Studio Production class taught by Knut Hybinette, associate professor of game design, when he visited TSU’s Stephenville campus in March and April.
He noted, however, that the internships will be open to any college student, not just those attending TSU.
Newpher said the city has offered internships before, but never this many.
