High school juniors and seniors in Hillsborough County looking to get a taste of government operations this summer have a new opportunity. Starting this year, the county is opening the doors to its Redefining Internships for Student Empowerment (RISE) program, with applications now available until March 31. The eight-week paid internship promises a hands-on learning experience across a range of county departments.
RISE is designed to show students the ropes of public service, as reported earlier on the Hillsborough County's official newsroom page. They will pair with mentors and, according to the program overview, participants can "Learn about Hillsborough County government and its functions" while gaining work experience.
The timeline for this summer stint is set from June 2 to August 1 for Parks & Recreation interns, and from June 9 to August 1 for other departments. It's a decent stretch of the sunny season that should provide ample time for interns to "Shadow experienced employees" and "Develop skills that will be valuable for future careers," just as the official announcement by the Hillsborough County communicated.
For students considering a jump into the program, it's not just about bureaucratic know-how. The RISE initiative is a launching pad for future aspirations, offering a nurturing ground where students can "Gain a deeper understanding of their assigned role," so informs the Hillsborough County news release. With stacks of files and back-to-back meetings awaiting, these interns are sure to get a real feel for the public service grind – from the green spaces of Parks & Rec to the bustling hallways of other county offices.
Interested students should click those links and mark their calendars. The chance to be a part of the 2025 RISE Internship Program hangs on beating the end-of-March deadline.
