National Internship Awareness Month takes place each April, stressing the importance of internships in providing meaningful experience and boosting professional development. To recognize the annual event, the Town of Clayton is shining a light on current opportunities for students, graduates, and career switchers to gain hands-on experience.
It’s accepting online applications at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/claytonnc for four temporary, paid internships. They include:
- Communication and Outreach Intern
- Cultural Arts Intern
- Emergency Management Intern - Fire
- Planning Intern
Applicants must be 18 years or older by the internship’s start date.
“I thought it would be so cool to work for and learn from the Town in which I grew up,” said Daniel Bizzell, a former intern turned visual communications specialist for the Town.
Bizzell hit the ground running when his internship started in June 2022. He was tasked with handling a large portion of the videography needs within the Communication and Outreach Department, such as livestreaming town council and advisory board meetings. While these duties aligned with his interests, Bizzell also got the chance to expand his knowledge of public relations by writing news releases and web articles as well as marketing by handling graphic design elements for social media.
“The most rewarding part of my internship was definitely getting real, on-the-job experience,” said Bizzell. “I was learning best practices and working on projects that I can still show off and be proud of today.”
Following his internship, Bizzell continued his work with the Town, accepting a full-time position in May 2023.
“Working for the Town enables you to connect with knowledgeable industry professionals, gain valuable experience in your field, and serve a great community,” said Bizzell.
“This internship marked my first step into the professional realm post-college, and its seamless transition into a full-time role within my desired career field was a fantastic opportunity,” said Catherine White, a former intern turned communication and marketing specialist for the Town.
After graduating from college, White wanted to return home and look for jobs around Clayton. She shared a similar experience with Bizzell during her internship with the Communication and Outreach Department in June 2021. Not only was White able to focus on content creation for the Town’s social media pages and website, but she also contributed to the success of marketing campaigns on various projects.
“It was beneficial to build my resume with practical experience,” said White. “The Town's welcoming environment fostered a sense of growth and learning right from the start. The support extended by colleagues ensured a smooth integration into the Town's dynamic workforce, facilitating my professional development journey.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 65% of individuals go on and secure a full-time position after their internships end. Both White and Bizzell can attest to that figure. They remain employees with the Town of Clayton and work alongside a growing team of 300+ full-time and part-time staff members.
To learn more about internships and job opportunities with the Town of Clayton, click here.