Q: Is the Smart Community Corps for me?
A: The Georgia Smart Community Corp is searching for interns that are seeking a meaningful civic experience over the summer while working in local governments to develop smart communities. The ideal intern would be committed to developing and bringing smart communities technology to all communities, have a passion for public service, and want to grow professionally in the field.
Summer interns will support one of the following projects:
- Socially-Aware Mobility Lab - Piloting On-Demand Multimodal Transit in Atlanta (PODMTA)
Q: When do applications open for 2021 SCC Summer Internships?
A: Applications open on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Smart Community Corps internships?
A: Both Georgia Tech and non-Georgia Tech undergraduate and graduate students listed are eligible to apply. This summer's project pair offerings are the following:
Clayton County - Smart Pedestrian Planning, Open to Georgia Tech, Clayton State University, and AUCC students only (AUCC: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College)
City of Sandy Springs - Streamlining Suburban Transit, Open to Georgia Tech and AUCC students only (AUCC: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College)
City of Savannah - Savannah Blight, Civic Data Science for Equitable Development, Open to Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University, Savannah State, and SCAD students only
City of Valdosta - A Traffic Monitoring and Communication System to Improve Safety, Connectivity, and Efficiency, Open to Georgia Tech and Valdosta State University students only
Socially-Aware Mobility Lab - Piloting On-Demand Multimodal Transit in Atlanta (PODMTA), Open to Georgia Tech and AUCC students only (AUCC: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College)
Q: Can international students apply?
A: Students must be eligible to work in the United States to apply.
Q: Can I still apply if I graduate this semester (May 2021)?
A: Yes, this opportunity is still available to you immediately after you graduate.
Q: Can I get credit for this internship?
A: Georgia Tech SCC interns will register with the Georgia Tech Career Center internship/co-op program and have your audit hours recorded on your official transcript among other benefits. Non-Georgia Tech students can reach out to their respective School’s Career Center for potential internship credit.
Q: What is the deadline to submit an application?
A: The deadline to submit an application is Friday, February 26th, 2021 at 5pm.
Q: What is the application process?
A: Students will submit an application, resume, and reference letters via the Qualtrics Smart Community Corps internship application link found on our website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Based on qualifications, finalists will be chosen for virtual interviews the week of March 8th – March 12th. Chosen interns will be notified of an offer no later than March 17th, 2021.
Q: What is the SCC Pair Model?
A: We work with higher education institutions in Georgia, such as Valdosta State University and AUC Data Science Initiative to open the internship opportunity to both Georgia Tech and other Georgia college students. Each community opportunity will place interns in pairs (1 Georgia Tech student and 1 Georgia college student) to work together on a project. The aim is to bring students together with complementary skillsets, experiences, and expertise so that together they can learn from each other and leverage their joint work for cross-learning and co-creation with the community. The pair also works closely with the designated Georgia Tech lead researcher for research guidance and expertise. Together, the community and the students benefit from the joint university, multidisciplinary, and diverse experiences and perspectives the student pair brings.
Q: What happens if I am selected as an intern for Summer 2021?
A: You will be notified by email that you have been selected no later than March 17th, 2021. To accept the offer, you must respond no later than March 26th, 2021.
Q: Will I be paid as an intern?
A: Yes, interns will receive a summer stipend of up to $8,000 depending on job/location.
Q: What if I am from the area of the designated smart community?
A: We highly encourage students from our GA Smart communities to apply!
Q: Will I need to find and pay for my own room and board?
A: The Smart Community Corps staff will work with you to help you secure housing, but you must pay for your own food, housing, and transportation throughout the program.
Q: What happens if COVID-19 is still prevalent? Will internships become virtual?
A: Our hope and expectations are that all interns will be able to work and live within the communities. However, as the health and safety of our interns is of utmost importance to us, we will evaluate the situation as the summer draws closer. If necessary, as was the case in the summer of 2020, all internships may become remote working experiences if the situation requires it due to health concerns.
Q: What is the length of the summer internship?
A: The internship runs for 12 weeks during the summer, beginning on Monday, May 17th and ending on Friday, August 6th, 2021.
Q: What is a typical day like for an SCC intern?
A: As each community internship is different, it is hard to describe what a typical day might be. All interns are expected to work 8 hours/day on tasks and projects provided to them by their community. During the interview process, the communities will be able to explain the internship duties and tasks as well as what a typical day might entail.
Q: Can I work another job while completing this internship?
A: No. The SCC Summer internship is a full-time, 40 hour a week position.
Q: Can I take summer classes as an SCC intern?
A: Please seek approval from your Academic Advisor as regulations vary according to your academic status as an undergraduate or graduate student. As the internship is a full time/40 hour a week position, any courses taken must not interfere with the internship.
Q: What benefits are there for SCC alumni?
A: As a SCC alum, you will be invited to future GA Smart and SCC events. These are great networking opportunities to mix and mingle with GT researchers, GA Smart partners, and community representatives from across Georgia.