Frequently Asked Manager-Related Questions
Q: What does the IT Internship Toolkit consist of?
A: Program Information, Recruitment, Hiring, Orientation, and Performance measurements.
Q: Do we need to allocate a position for the intern?
A: Yes, organizations would utilize their current vacant positions and will need to allocate positions.
Q: How do organizations allocate positions?
A: Based on current data, and the IT succession rates, it is inevitable that vacant positions will become available. ITMA XIV sees this as an opportunity to utilize vacancies, bring in new talent to the State, and provide organizations with an additional recruitment tool.
Q: What about staff at a lower level than Assistant, for example, an Information System Technician?
A: Currently SPB is creating open exams for the Assistant and Associate ISA classifications. Staff at the IST level can apply and take these exams.
Q: Why is ITMA XIV concentrating on the 4-year colleges instead of the community or vocational colleges?
A: For the purpose of this project it was necessary for ITMA XIV to narrow the scope in order to complete the project on time. When the framework is handed off to SPB, the final report will include a recommendation to include the Community and vocational colleges.
Q: What type of status does the IT Intern have?
A: IT Interns will receive salary and benefits equivalent to that of an entry level state IT classification.
Q: Will the IT Internship program expand geographically?
A: It is anticipated that the IT Internship program will expand Statewide after the initial startup.
Q: Is there an exam at the end of the Intern’s program?
A: No, In order to obtain permanent State employment, Interns are required to meet the following:
- Successful completion and graduation from the California State University, Sacramento, or University California, Davis, or University of the Pacific, with an IT Degree;
- A culminating Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or 3.25 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate units or better and good academic standing with the participating university.
- Completion of a minimum of 960 work hours during the program, including three successful assessment reports prepared for every 320 hours completed by the IT Intern.
Q: How many vacancies are there currently in State IT Service?
A: This answer varies by organization, but the current state IT workforce is encountering high vacancy rates that require new methods of recruiting, training, and developing staff and in the next 3 to 5 years, approximately 40% State workforce will be eligible to retire.
Q: Are the unions involved?
A: Yes, ITMA XIV has been working very closely with the Statewide Workforce and Succession Planning (SWSP) Project. SWSP has Local 1000 Service Employee International Union representatives.
Q: What are the classifications we will use for the program?
A: We are recommending the use of entry level IT positions. Such as Assistant ISA, etc., but any vacant position can be utilized for this program.
Q: In terms of internship, does there need to be a position tied to the internship?
A: Yes, the hiring organization will need to allocate a position.
Q: How are the interns paid?
A: The intern can be paid through a budgeted position or a blanket fund; the decision is up to the hiring organization.
Q: Does the hiring organization have to provide mentoring?
A: Yes, you will need to develop a mentoring program. The intern will be assigned a mentor during the program that will provide leadership and guidance to help the intern achieve successful program completion. The mentor will provide structure and constructive criticism, share past mistakes as well as successes, challenge the intern to answer his/her own questions, and at all times provide a positive and professional work environment.
Q: Can the scope of the program be broadened?
A: Upon completion of the program pilot, an evaluation will be completed to measure the program’s success and determine if changes need to be made.
A: Participating organization’s budgets will need to include funds to support the utilization of an intern.
Q: Is there an agency piloting the program?
A: Yes, the Department of Technology (DTS)
Q: Why is DTS piloting the program?
A: It was important to have a single organization Human Resource area assisting our class project. Discussions were held with DTS and once expectation were defined they agree to provide high level assistance and review of documentation prepared.
Q: What has happened to all the money we (CIO’s) have committed to the program?
A: Since the money has not been encumbered and it will be released back to the respective agencies.