Georgia County Internship Spotlight

 

 

 

Ty’kia Johnson, a healthcare administration major at Valdosta State University, interned with the Cusseta-Chattahoochee Animal Control Department during the summer of 2020. While Johnson did not have previous experience with county government prior to her internship, she quickly adapted to her work environment.

 

During her internship, Johnson created a foster program to work in conjunction with the animal control department and animal shelter as part of the county’s efforts to establish a no-kill shelter.  In launching this program, she created a marketing campaign to promote animal adoptions and identify community members and partners willing to foster animals.

 

Johnson used social media to bring awareness to the program both within the community and in surrounding counties.  Over the course of her internship, she developed a social media campaign that culminated in a following of over 500 members. The success of the social media campaign allowed more animals to be adopted and moved the county closer to their goal of establishing a no-kill shelter.

 

In creating the foster program, Johnson gained new communication and marketing skills by having to come up with different ways to promote the shelter and advertise animals available for adoption. She believes these skills will serve her well upon graduation in terms of networking and team building. Johnson noted that her favorite part of the internship experience was working with members of the community and being part a project geared towards improving the county.

 

To future interns, Johnson advises entering the internship with an open mind and asking questions when needed. She further encourages her peers to have fun and enjoy the experience. When asked if she would consider a career in county government based on her internship experience, Johnson indicated she would definitely be interested.  

 

The funding for this internship was made available to the GCIP through a grant from the Verizon Foundation.

 

For more information on the GCIP, please visit the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation website at http://www.civicaffairs.org.