Within just a couple of years, interns at Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) have become commonplace and a positive working experience for both the soon-to-be college graduates and #TeamHCDE.
It’s worked out so well in fact, that word of mouth to neighboring school districts to put one HCDE division – Civic Engagement – on the waitlist for an intern this go around instead of its regular guaranteed spot.
“It’s probably my big mouth because I keep telling everybody how great it is,” said Education Foundation and Partnerships Director Trina Silva, who has worked with an intern through the University of Houston since Fall 2024. “So, several other agencies and foundations now have interns because I told them about it. With the interns that are amazing, I can’t sing high enough praises for them and this program.”
College students serving internships at HCDE isn’t new – the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids partnered with UH’s Graduate College of Social Work 10-plus years ago. Department and leadership pride themselves on being positive community partners and filling gaps within the education space.
Internships allow students to work with organizations to gain experience or in some cases, meet qualification requirements.
For HCDE, that means working with local colleges and universities, being visible to their needs and showcasing itself as a valued educational solution for students.
But truthfully, it’s more than a partnership.
“We’re all in this business because we believe in students,” said Chief of Staff Danielle Bartz, who’s intern experience with Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management eventually led to first job – campaigning for future Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We believe in the potential of the kids, and we absolutely believe in the value of these educational experiences.”
According to a 2026 report by Worldmetrics, nearly 90% of employers credit internships to help them identify full-time candidates, while more than 70% of interns reported their internship influenced their career path choice.
Fit is important when it comes to internships, as not every workplace, department or team has the time, work demands or administrative capacity to take on another staff member who in some cases may be working without compensation.
Two areas within HCDE that saw a recent need were the Education Foundation of Harris County (EFHC) and Civic Engagement. In the Fall of 2024, both partnered with UH’s Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) through the Hobby School of Public Affairs, which connects juniors and seniors with government offices, nonprofit organizations and campaigns.
CHIP interns join their respective organizations for an average of eight hours a week over the 15-week semester (they meet as a class four times). They learn about the ins and outs of each organization and how it connects within Harris County and beyond.
Students keep a journal, and the course grade is also determined by a term paper and assessment from the respective office supervisor. The internship course counts as three hours of upper-level political science or public policy credit.
This fall, Silva welcomed Madison Rainwater, a political science major scheduled to graduate in December. Her previous internships included with Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and the Transportation Advocacy Group. Those experiences helped shape her career trajectory and ultimately land her with HCDE.
“I wanted to find out what I liked, and I realized pretty soon that my niche was children,” she said. “One way I feel children can be helped is through education, so education policy became something I really cared about once I started doing internships and learning about it.”
In working with EFHC and Civic Engagement, interns are able to experience HCDE’s push to support students across Harris County, whether it’s meeting with community partners or leading talks on voter information.
EFHC interns have played vital roles in planning and executing events such as the Heart of Education Luncheon and Topgolf Tournament. Civic Engagement interns helped plan presentations and in Spring 2025, assisted on Austin trips for Fortis Academy students where they visited the Capitol and Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons’ district office.
For Fall 2025, HCDE welcomed four interns across three divisions, including the first for CASE for Kids in at least a dozen years. Danielle Redhead worked with CASE for Kids through two semesters before extending her practicum into the summer.
By summer’s end, Redhead completed nearly 800 practicum hours.
Interns collaborate with other divisions and assimilate to HCDE’s culture. Building a network can lead to future opportunities.
“I never assume our interns are going to come to work for us or directly in educational policy or foundation fundraising, but I’m very, very clear that whatever they learn here will open some door,” Bartz said.
Bartz interned with Sylvester’s office during his last session as a state representative before joining his campaign in Houston. She then stayed on to work in the mayor’s office.
Silva interned with the East End Chamber of Commerce Education & Workforce Foundation and 13 years later, is still connected and currently serves as board secretary. She’s hoping HCDE’s interns can do the same for the Department in the future.
“Traditional school districts have a built-in alumni base and we don’t have that,” Silva said. “So, who are the people who would want to support HCDE, the foundation and our initiatives? One is the employees, two are the foundation scholarship recipients and now, our interns.
“They are our alumni and hopefully they come back and participate in different ways, whether it‘s volunteering, donating, speaking at our events or maybe even becoming a board member or trustee. They know what we do and can become ambassadors for us.”