What motivated your organization to participate in the OASBO Finance Internship Program?
We wanted to spark interest in school finance and introduce prospective professionals to the opportunities in our field. As experienced treasurers retire, it is becoming more difficult to find qualified candidates, and we saw the program as a way to help address that challenge.
What goals or outcomes were you hoping to achieve through participation?
Our goal was to give the intern a meaningful, hands-on experience and a better understanding of what a career in school finance is really like. We also hoped the experience could help us identify people who may be interested in future positions within the ESC or our member districts.
Internship Experience
How was interns’ work divided and structured between the ESC and districts?
We loosely followed the 300-hour field experience template and tried to have the intern spend about a week at each participating district. This gave him a chance to see the day-to-day work of a treasurer’s office and how it connects with the rest of the district. Some tasks were repeated, but that allowed him to see different ways of approaching the same work.
What were the primary responsibilities or projects assigned to interns?
The intern was exposed to a broad range of school finance and treasurer responsibilities. This included hands-on experience with USAS, USPS, SCView, BoardDocs, HR and onboarding systems, as well as school funding, forecasting, budgeting, grants, debt, GAAP and audit preparation. He also attended board meetings and a county auditor meeting and observed public records requests and union negotiation planning. We wanted him to see the variety of work that goes on in a treasurer’s office.
What was the best part of the internship experience for your organization?
The best part was seeing our intern’s excitement grow throughout the internship. It was rewarding to watch him become more comfortable with the work and gain a better understanding of what being a treasurer involves.
Program Impact
What impact do you believe this program could have on the future of school finance in Ohio?
I think this program can make a real difference in helping address the shortage of qualified school finance professionals in Ohio. Giving people the opportunity to experience the profession firsthand can help them better understand the role and decide if it is the right career path for them.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
What challenges, if any, did your organization face during the internship?
The biggest challenge was getting commitments from the districts. Summer is a busy time for school business offices, and staff are often taking time off, so coordinating schedules could be difficult.
Looking Ahead
Would your organization participate in the Finance Internship Program again?
Yes!
In your opinion, what do you think would encourage more ESCs and districts to participate in future years?
I think providing more information about the program and sharing success stories would help.