Marketing Academic Internships in the Public Sector

Abstract

One option to alleviate public sector staff work is the introduction of energetic and creative apprentices as academic interns. Academic interns need not be compensated with monies not readily available from municipal budgets. Instead they can be compensated in other substantial ways. Academic interns receive credit toward completion of their degree requirements; valuable work experience, the chance to learn first hand the inner workings of public service. Additionally, they are afforded the opportunity to observe aspects of the public policy process. Recruitment of academic interns requires the establishment of a comprehensive contact-centered marketing plan. Moreover, recruiting and selecting interns should be an extension of what government is established to do — which is providing a service to the community.