Philadelphia city interns getting paychecks and work experience

A new crop of interns is fanning out among city departments in Philadelphia. Unlike most interns, they will be paid.

Mayor Michael Nutter met with the interns at City Hall before they were dispatched to various city agencies. Deputy Finance Director Stephanie Tipton described the program.

“We bring in 100 young people high school students who work in a variety of departments for six weeks over the summer,” said Nutter. “We have 25 departments working with us, all of the students are Philadelphia residents they have a chance to work on a weekly basis, gain some professional skills.”

Ashley Pemberton is going to intern at the District Attorney’s office.

“Working is when you have a chance to get out of your comfort zone you get to network for a different opportunities and it gives you open space for what you want to do for college as well.”

In addition to gaining work experience, these internships pay eight dollars an hour. The program had to be pared back this year in response to Federal budget cuts.