State Launches ‘Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow’ Internship Program

Nashville, TN – On Monday, June 3, 2018, the State of Tennessee launched Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow, a new internship program to prepare today’s young leaders for future opportunities in public service.

More than 120 college students and recent graduates make up the inaugural cohort of Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow interns working in 10 different State agencies for eight weeks this summer. While interns’ responsibilities and tasks vary by department, all participants are united through program events, including orientation, learning and development courses, and a visit to the Tennessee Residence to learn more about Tennessee history and the role of the executive branch.

“This program offers professionals of tomorrow a unique opportunity to build their resume, while also adding value to the critical services the State provides to citizens,” said Tennessee Department of Human Resources Commissioner Rebecca Hunter. “Most importantly, the internship experience emphasizes our community and engages new talent in exploring prospective career paths at the State of Tennessee.”

While many State agencies previously offered individual internships, Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow aligns the State’s efforts to develop and recruit talent by taking an enterprise approach to planning and executing an effective internship program. Furthermore, the enterprise program delivers an added-value experience for participants to develop important operational skills required to manage state government, along with exposure to skills needed for their specific career path.
“The goal is to support potential development by exposing interns to new learning, skills, and networking opportunities, while also creating a fun experience,” said Department of Human Resources Director of Recruiting Kimberly Mantlo. “From a recruiting perspective, it is also very effective to provide opportunities for interns to build a community with their peers.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2018 Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow term, beginning on October 1 and ending on December 7. To view current internship opportunities and read more about application deadlines, click here.

The Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow internship program provides a unique opportunity to gain experience working in state government and build leadership skills. Internships are available within 23 different State agencies. To learn more about the Tennessee Leaders of Tomorrow internship program, click here.