Karlie Justus is only 25, but she’s already had two jobs as a communicator in state government and one in public relations before joining Yep Roc Music Group of Haw River, which represents several big-name recording artists. She’s now its social media project coordinator, a career that didn’t even exist when the State Government Internship Program was created in 1970.
“My parents really don’t know quite what I do or why I get paid to be online all the time,” said the 2007 State Government Intern with a laugh. “Sometimes I just can’t believe how lucky I am to have this job.”
Luck had little to do with it. Justus had several internships throughout college, but none that allowed her to build such an impressive resume as the State Government Internship Program.
“When I started interviewing for jobs, people were amazed that I did so much and brought so many skills to the table,” she said. “I was hired at the NC Department of Agriculture, where I got tons of great experience and later was contacted and hired for my next job when I wasn’t even looking for one.”
The Hendersonville native, who participated in the program when she was a junior at NC State University, is among nearly 4,000 North Carolina college students who have participated in the highly competitive program, which will welcome its new class on May 23. Other alumni include numerous elected officials and government leaders, as well as business and community leaders.
“The timing of the internship proved extremely valuable in that I was considering what career path to take,” said Wayne Goodwin, State Insurance Commissioner and former four-term state Representative from Hamlet who interned for the State Bureau of Investigations in 1989. “I attribute a lot of my later public service and professional accomplishments to my experiences that summer.”
Indeed, Goodwin said his career has come full circle from his start as a research analyst who ventured into the field with SBI agents.
“Who would have dreamed then that I’d become the head of a law enforcement agency that works with the SBI?” he said. “Every day I experienced something new and educational and rewarding. There’s no doubt in my mind that internship led me to law school and my eventual work as a legislator.”
The Internship Program formerly offered at least 100 positions each summer but was reduced in the last two years due to budget constraints. This year, more than 900 students competed for just 50 spots.
“We had to turn away students with 4.5 GPAs and amazing resumes,” said Stephanie Nantz, Executive Director of the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Program. “On one hand, it’s become an even more prestigious thing to be selected, but on the other we hate to not take advantage of the extraordinary talent by exposing these students to public service careers.”
Dr. Ronald Penny, Chair of the N.C Central University Department of Public Administration, was a 1975 intern and later served as Director of the N.C. Office of State Personnel. Given the competitive job market and the relatively low pay of government jobs, he said, “The Internship Program is the best to way attract and keep young, talented people in state government.
“It leads to a network that allows students to both better compete and understand many of the issues in their related fields,” Penny said. “Especially, at a time when baby boomers are retiring, the program is vital to enticing the next generation into state government careers.”
Brian Long, Public Affairs Director at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said his office counts on the Internship Program each year to help promote the State Fair.
“It takes someone with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and the ability to think on their feet,” said Long, whose internship is among the most sought after. “We give them a lot of responsibility to market the Fair, which is the state’s largest event, and they leave with the kind of experience employers look for.”
Long knows this with personal experience. Karlie Justus advanced quickly from 2007 State Government Intern to State Fair Intern that fall, and then a full-time Ag employee in 2008. She was enticed away by a Raleigh public relations firm in 2010 before joining Yep Roc three months ago.
“We felt fortunate to hire her and hated to lose her, but her skills were so obvious,” Long said. “That’s what happens when you give really bright students an opportunity to grow and achieve.”