Internships
The Public Administration Internship Program is an internship available to students of all majors. The experience provides insight into how government operates, provides an opportunity to make a real contribution to society, and gives students the chance to work with the people responsible for running our towns and cities.
Students spend one day a week in a government position. Here they have
an opportunity to learn about the management of government in areas that
range from law enforcement, budget making, environmental protection and
emergency planning to recreation planning and consumer protection.
Students may concentrate on a particular project, or they may gain
experience in a variety of different departments. Students have done comparative
pay studies and created emergency plans for towns. Other students have
participated in the computerization of budget systems, streamlined welfare
programs, and learned how housing codes are created and enforced. Currently,
students are involved in the pre-trial intervention program, downtown revitalization,
and fighting price-fixing of government contracts.
Administrators are looking for people from all majors. In some cases there is an obvious match. Many times, liberal arts and fine arts majors find that they can gain invaluable, practical experience which helps them, through experience and contacts, to fine their career paths. Students have also found that the internship rounds out their resume and helps them in job interviews. Students who successfully complete the semester receive four semester hours credit.
Students are required to work one day a week, keep a log of their workday, and write a paper at the end of the semester. Any student who is interested should contact Dr. George Zilbergeld at (973) 655-7573. His office is in Dickson Hall, Room 208. Information may also be obtained by contacting the department secretary in Room 204 of Dickson Hall or by calling her at (973) 655-4238.
* PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR, DR. ZILBERGELD, IS A PREREQUISITE.