Yuba County internship program helps students launch their careers

Vanessa Franken had a hunch that a career in community and regional development was for her, but her internship with Yuba County’s Planning Department confirmed it.

“Every day is a learning experience,” Franken said. “I enjoy being able to take what I learned from outside the classroom and relate it to coursework, it keeps me ahead of the game in class.”

The University of California, Davis, senior plans on graduating this winter. Her college requires students to receive internship credits prior to graduation, so she found an opportunity with Yuba County.

The Yuba County Student Intern and Volunteer Program is in its first year, and Franken is one of only a few that have participated in it so far.

“We began a pilot of the new program in fall 2017. We are still working to develop relationships with local colleges and high schools so that we can expand our program,” said Jill Abel, director of human resources and risk management for Yuba County. “Currently, we have interns in our Community Development and Services Agency, our Health and Human Services Department and in Animal Care Services. We are hoping to have interns in our Ag/weights and Measures office and County Counsel in the near future.”

All of the county’s interns are currently enrolled in colleges, including Yuba College, Davis and Chico State. Abel said there are plans to work with Mcgeorge School of Law as well.

The program has essentially been in the making since 2007, when officials formed an “Organizational Excellence Committee” focused on making Yuba County more attractive to potential employees through various employee, supervisor and leadership development programs, Abel said.

Then in 2016, the results from an organizational assessment led supervisors to adopt two action plan items: expand opportunities to highlight the county by developing an intern and volunteer program, and build on regional relationships with colleges, high schools and different trades.

“Our hope is to build a future workforce through generating interest in public service careers, establishing or enhancing relationships with local education institutions, and marketing Yuba County as a leading employer in the region,” Abel said.

Aside from it being aligned with her major, Franken has also taken courses in Community Governance, so when she found an internship that allowed her to get a closer look at how a local government operates, she felt it was the perfect fit.

“My internship has confirmed that this is the line of work I am interested in,” she said.

Abel said the new program has also provided the county with valuable feedback, both from interns and the different departments.

Students who are interested in potentially interning for Yuba County should work with their school’s work experience or internship coordinator on partnering with the county, Abel said. More information can be found at www.co.yuba.ca.us under job opportunities.

As for Franken, the best advice she could give to someone interested in an internship program is to “plan ahead.”

“Think about somewhere you’d like to work or somewhere you could work after degree completion,” she said. “Try to take at least one or two courses related to where your interning site would be. Lastly, research the organization you are interested in becoming a part of and be excited to learn in a new environment.”

FELONY ARRESTS

Shannon L. Altrock, 28, of the 900 block of Spiva Avenue, Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 3:30 p.m. April 2 in the 1400 block of Live Oak Boulevard on suspicion of grand theft. She was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Miguel A. Salazar, 41, of the 600 block of Scirocco Drive, Yuba City, was arrested by Sutter County Probation at 3:45 p.m. April 2 at his residence on suspicion of willful harm, injury, or great bodily injury. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Timothy J. Sanders, 30, of the 500 block of Oswald Road, Yuba City, was arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office at 5:50 a.m. April 2 at his residence on suspicion of willful harm, injury, or great bodily injury. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

DUI ARRESTS

Bobby J. Sutton, 31, of the 12000 block of Melton Drive, Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 9:08 p.m. April 2 at Finch Court. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Kevin M. Raidy, 49, of Sacramento, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 9:23 p.m. April 2 at Highway 99 and Sunsweet Boulevard. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Iran Alvarado, 23, of Arbuckle, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at 10:12 a.m. April 2 at Highway 20. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.