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Sarah Pomales, a junior political science major at East Stroudsburg University, has been accepted into the City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP) with Mayor Jim Kenny’s office.

MIP is an opportunity for undergraduates and graduate-level students to learn about and contribute to the city government managing operations for the nation’s fifth largest municipality.

During their tenure, Mayor’s Interns are assigned substantive projects and tasks providing research and analysis, as well as administrative and staff assistance to city officials in various departments across the City of Philadelphia municipal government. Interns are also provided a host of additional opportunities to learn about careers in government from leaders and employees across the city. The program provides developmental experiences in a number of soft skills that will provide the intern with additional skills to support their career success. MIP offers real work experience while exposing participants to the diverse functions and operations of a large municipal government.

During the ten week program Pomales will work in the law department – code and public nuisance litigation unit, where she will assist with legal research and learn the procedures of preparing for the courtroom. “I am looking forward to growing and learning within the unit and really getting a feel for the work I would like to continue as I pursue a career in the government and legal field,” Pomales said. “I am thrilled to have such a wonderful opportunity, and to have it in my own hometown of Philadelphia. I feel so proud of my city and so proud to be bringing the perspective of a Latina woman to this program.”

Every Friday she will join other MIP interns for “Exploring Government” activities where they will attend speaker presentations, visit municipal operations and programs, and participate in leadership and career development activities. Past speakers have included members of the mayor’s cabinet, deputy mayors, commissioners and other high-level city staff. Presentations topics have ranged from education policy to public health services. Past site visits have included large-scale economic development initiatives as well as neighborhood-specific housing and community development programs.