Carmel, NY – For the third year, Putnam County Government will once again offer high school, college and graduate school students the opportunity to apply for paid and unpaid summer internship opportunities throughout its many departments as part of the Putnam Invests in Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) Program.
“The PILOT program has been a win-win for Putnam County and the students who participate,” County Executive MaryEllen Odell said. “The PILOT program not only gives students from Putnam County an opportunity to have a hands-on real world experience but also the chance to learn the role county government has in our communities. In addition, Putnam County is able to benefit from the talent and eagerness of our youth.”
Past interns have found the PILOT program provided insight and resources that will help them as they consider their career choices.
“It was a great opportunity, I made great connections and I learned a lot about how the county government operates,” Zachary Cecere, a 2015 intern in the Purchasing Department, said.
The P.I.L.O.T Program helped some interns validate their career choices.
“Going into it I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to be a prosecutor,” said Timothy Martin, who is in his senior year at SUNY Buffalo and was a 2015 intern in the District Attorney’s Office. “But I found it interesting that you aren’t just working for yourself, it is very team oriented… it was a great experience.”
Some of the intern’s had eye opening experiences in regard to what occurs in their county.
Christine O’Loughlin, a 2015 intern in the Department of Social Services, stated, “Some cases are like TV, you wouldn’t think that they happen where you live, but it’s nice to see that there are people working to make it better.”
Odell first introduced the concept of PILOT back in 2013. Since its inception, interest in the PILOT Program and the number of student applicants has grown dramatically.
Eligible participants must be Putnam County residents who are graduate, college, or high school students in their junior or senior year. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. For college students a GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.
The 2016 Summer PILOT program will be held May 23 through August 12, 2015, depending on student availability. Internship hours, are typically 28 hours a week, and will be coordinated with Department supervisors.
Online filing instructions are now posted on the Putnam County Personnel website at www.putnamcountyny.com/personnel. The application consideration deadline for students is Friday, January 15, 2016. Initial candidate interviews will begin in December.
Photo Captions: County Executive MaryEllen Odell with many of the 2015 PILOT interns.