|
Are
the internship positions full-time or part-time?
All the
internship positions are full-time (40 hours per week).
If
I am awarded an Internship position, where will I be working?
Nearly
80% of all internship positions are located within the Capital area
(Augusta, Gardiner and Hallowell). Last year, other locations included
West Boothbay Harbor, Portland, Bangor, and Aroostook County.
What
Internship positions will be offered in the coming summer?
At this
time we do not know the internship positions that will be offered for the
coming summer. The Agencies request Interns at the same time students
submit applications. The availability and types of positions are
dependent upon agency funding and the agencies' particular needs for the
summer.
How
much does the Internship pay?
Interns
will earn $340 per week for each of the twelve weeks for a total of $4,080.
Deductions include:
-
Contribution
for mandatory membership in the Maine State Retirement System - 7.65% of
gross pay
-
Medicare
portion of Social Security - 1.45% of gross pay.
-
State
and Federal Taxes, according to Withholding Allowance Certificate.
Interns
are paid on a bi-weekly schedule.
Does
the Internship Program offer benefits?
Benefits
and payroll structure
How
are the Interns selected for positions?
Interns
are selected for positions by a Selection Committee. The Selection
Committee consists of members of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center,
various state agency professionals, and faculty from public and private
colleges in Maine. The selection committee reviews all student applications
and positions available, then assigns students to positions. Selection
criteria include (in no particular order): academic performance, educational
experience, work experience, and student goals and aspirations.
Because
there is no interview process, applicants are encouraged to be as specific
as possible outlining their goals and aspirations, and to include detailed
information throughout their online application process. Agencies are
encouraged to include a detailed job description of the position to be
filled.
When
will students be notified if they receive a position?
We will
call selected students beginning in mid-April. Students will be
allowed up to one week to accept the positions offered. Those students
not accepted will receive notification through the mail and will be placed
on a waiting list. Those on the waiting list may be called if an
appropriate position becomes available.
What
are the GPA requirements for the program?
There is
no minimum GPA requirement for an Internship, aside from an applicant being
in good academic standing as an enrolled, matriculated (degree-seeking)
student. However, the selection process is very competitive. Selections are
based on academic performance, fit with the available positions, work
experience, goals and aspirations, and the quality of application materials.
We look at overall performance. For instance, we realize that students may
have a poor freshman academic year and will improve over the rest of their
college career. Overall, we do weigh academic performance, but do not base
our decisions solely upon GPA.
Could
you recommend any housing opportunities in the Augusta area that previous
interns have utilized?
Unfortunately,
we do not provide housing for Interns. Apartments are available in the
Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner areas and are less expensive compared to
most places in the state. We suggest that Interns share an apartment for the
summer. We will help students contact one another if they are interested in
sharing housing or transportation. Students may want to check out the
Kennebec Journal for apartment listings. (http://www.kjonline.com/).
A state bus shuttles back and forth from Portland to Augusta every day.
Are
any state agencies located in the Portland area? We noted that most are in
Augusta but wondered if there were even a few in southern Maine.
There
are state offices located in the Portland area. However, only a few of these
agencies request Interns for the summer. There have been only a few
positions offered in the Portland area in recent years.
Please contact
us if the answer to your question is not listed.
|
