GEORGIA COUNTY INTERNSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
Slater Edlein Interns with Fulton County
 |
For University of Georgia student Slater Edlein, a summer internship with Fulton County provided the perfect opportunity to practice public service and engage with her home county. Edlein, who studies psychology and social work, interned as a management policy intern with the county manager’s office over the summer. In her role, Edlein facilitated the updating and tracking of over 100 departmental policies and procedures in the county. She gained a deep understanding of county government operations and developed meaningful relationships with supervisors and mentors.
Edlein had a basic understanding of county government operations before her internship, but her experience in the county manager's office deepened her knowledge of county services and policies. She also recognized the importance of collaboration within county government, stating, "I learned how to effectively communicate with people at all levels from different departments and how their workloads interact with one another." Understanding the interconnectedness of county departments was crucial to Edlein’s work in reviewing and updating county policies.
During her internship, Edlein worked with various departments to ensure that Fulton County's policies and procedures were relevant and consistent. Her contributions were part of a comprehensive update project, a significant effort that had not occurred in many years within the county. Edlein researched previous Fulton County policies and other counties' policy update procedures to aid in the creation of a streamlined policy update procedure. After finalizing the procedure, Edlein created a visual representation of the process and began working with staff to update policies.
 |
Across her tenure, Edlein updated 125 policies and procedures. For each policy, Edlein created a folder that included a policy summary, changes to the policy, and a final draft of the updated policy. The folders will provide county departments with necessary knowledge about current policies and how they have changed. Edlein continuously communicated with departmental liaisons, the chief financial officer, and county attorneys during the updating process. Reflecting on her internship, Edlein stated that her contribution to the policy update project was her most significant success. “This project represented the culmination of efforts by many interns and employees before me, and I am honored to have played a role in such a critical and impactful initiative,” she noted.
 |
In addition to her broadened understanding of county government, Edlein also said she developed skills to advance her personal and professional goals. Through her management of the policy update process, Edlein advanced her strategic planning skills and furthered her professional communication abilities. She also strengthened her collaboration skills by working closely with staff in the county manager's office. "Working alongside them has challenged me to improve my work output on the daily," she reflected, noting that colleagues such as her supervisor and Management Policy Analyst Ketsia Guerrier have become mentors to her.
Edlein feels confident that her internship experience with Fulton County has set her up for success in the future. “The skills gained in this internship will service me in any position I seek out in my future,” she said. Edlein is excited about the new relationships she has built with county professionals and appreciates the project management skills she has acquired. As she concludes her psychology and social work studies and prepares for graduation next spring, she is considering a future career in county government. She said, "I had such a wonderful experience, and there are so many exciting job opportunities available that would allow me to do work I am passionate about and make positive changes in my community.”
To learn more about the GCIP, please visit our website at www.accg.org/caf_index.php.
