The Mayor’s Internship Program continues to transform young professionals, providing them with invaluable insights into public service and city government operations. Among the 2025 cohort stands Hamza Mqadmi, a Temple University philosophy major whose journey exemplifies the transformative power of hands-on government experience.
Discovering the Path to Public Service
Hamza entered the Mayor’s Internship Program with a specific mission: to understand how city government functions as a cohesive system. As a philosophy major, his natural inclination toward understanding people and complex systems made the Office of Talent and Employee Success under the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) the perfect placement. The CAO oversees seven critical city departments and offices, working to modernize city government and improve service delivery efficiency.
Philadelphia’s status as the third-largest employer in the county with over 25,000 workers creates a unique ecosystem that Hamza described as “almost like a small world of its own”. This massive operation provides interns with unprecedented exposure to diverse municipal functions, from human resources and innovation technology to strategic transformation and employee development.
The Office of Talent and Employee Success: A Strategic Placement
The Office of Talent and Employee Success focuses on developing and implementing strategic human resource initiatives and process improvements across the city. This office supports City departments through exempt hiring, talent management, professional development, and policy improvement. For a philosophy major interested in understanding systems and people, this placement offered the ideal vantage point to observe city operations.
The office’s role in the broader CAO structure includes overseeing recruitment and hiring services, employee engagement initiatives, and professional development programs. Recent initiatives include implementing employee survey tools to understand employee experiences and creating action plans that foster inclusive workforces and improve retention.
From Observer to Active Participant
Hamza’s integration into the team demonstrated the MIP program’s commitment to meaningful engagement rather than passive observation. “My team gave me the warmest of welcomes and helped me settle in quickly,” he reflected. This supportive environment enabled him to transition from watching city operations to actively participating in departmental functions.
The transformation from observer to participant represents a crucial aspect of effective internship programs. Government internships provide valuable work experience, networking opportunities, and deeper understanding of public sector operations. For students like Hamza, this hands-on experience bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world application.
Philosophy Major Meets Public Service
Hamza’s academic background in philosophy proved surprisingly relevant to public service work. Philosophy graduates often excel in public sector roles because their education develops understanding of complex societal issues, analytical abilities, and strong communication skills. The field prepares students for careers in civil services, government, health services, and various administrative roles.
“I’ve always cared about helping others and being part of a community,” Hamza shared, “But working here has helped me understand what it truly means to be a public servant. It’s not just about doing good things—it’s about being committed to doing those things”. This insight reflects the deeper understanding that internship experiences can provide about professional commitment and responsibility.
The Evolution of Understanding
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Hamza’s internship journey was his evolving perspective on public service. Initially focused on gaining understanding, he discovered that “as a public servant, I don’t just search for understanding—I help create it”. This shift from seeking knowledge to facilitating understanding represents the kind of professional growth that quality internship programs can foster.
His role evolved to include “building connections between people and departments”, demonstrating how interns can contribute meaningfully to organizational operations while developing their own professional capabilities. This bidirectional value creation exemplifies successful internship design.
The Mayor’s Internship Program Structure
The MIP operates as a comprehensive ten-week paid internship program running from June to August, selecting approximately 50 college students annually. The program consists of three main components: substantive work assignments, professional development sessions, and projects with impact. This structure ensures interns gain practical experience while developing essential technical and soft skills.
Recent program evolution includes transformation from unpaid to paid positions, with current compensation at $15 per hour for up to 37.5 hours per week. This change reflects growing recognition of intern contributions and ensures broader accessibility to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Professional Development and Networking
Beyond departmental work, MIP provides extensive professional development opportunities. Interns participate in leadership development sessions, attend speaker events, visit municipal operations, and engage in networking activities. The program also includes participation in the “My Philly Summer” program with Campus Philly, offering additional networking events throughout the summer.
These professional development components address a critical need in career preparation. Studies show that internships significantly improve job prospects, with graduating seniors who participated in internships receiving 20% more job offers than those without internship experience.
Building Confidence and Belonging
Hamza’s reflection on gaining confidence illustrates another crucial internship benefit: developing professional self-assurance. “That confidence has shown me that I really do belong here, serving the public,” he noted. This sense of belonging is particularly important for students from underrepresented backgrounds or those entering unfamiliar professional environments.
The supportive team environment that welcomed Hamza demonstrates best practices in internship management. Effective mentorship and peer support empower interns to move from observers to active contributors, maximizing learning experiences and organizational benefits.
The CAO’s Strategic Role in City Operations
Understanding Hamza’s placement requires appreciating the CAO’s strategic importance in Philadelphia’s government structure. The office works to “modernize city government and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City services”. Through oversight of multiple departments and offices, the CAO drives innovation and strengthens administrative functions.
Recent CAO initiatives include the Service Delivery Initiative, Digital Workflow Transformation programs, and the groundbreaking City College for Municipal Employment (CCME). These programs create pathways for residents to access municipal careers while improving service delivery for all Philadelphians.
Long-term Impact and Career Implications
Hamza’s internship experience positions him well for future public service opportunities. Philosophy majors who gain government experience often pursue careers in civil services, policy analysis, and public administration. The combination of philosophical training in critical thinking and practical government experience creates a valuable professional foundation.
The MIP program’s emphasis on meaningful work assignments and professional development helps interns like Hamza build competitive advantages in the job market. These experiences provide both technical skills and professional networks that prove valuable regardless of ultimate career paths.
Broader Context of Government Internships
Hamza’s experience reflects broader trends in government internship programs designed to attract diverse talent to public service. With approximately 15% of all jobs in the public sector, government internships serve crucial pipeline functions for maintaining effective public administration.
Current challenges in recruiting public sector workers make programs like MIP increasingly important. By providing positive experiences and meaningful work, these internships can influence career decisions and help address ongoing talent needs in government.
Personal Growth and Professional Development
The transformation Hamza experienced—from seeking understanding to creating it—illustrates the personal growth potential inherent in quality internship programs. His journey from philosophy student to engaged public servant demonstrates how experiential learning can clarify career paths and professional values.
“I don’t know everything this internship will bring, but I feel ready for it,” Hamza concluded. This confidence reflects the successful integration of academic preparation, practical experience, and supportive mentorship that characterizes effective internship programs.
Looking Forward
Hamza Mqadmi’s story within the Mayor’s Internship Program exemplifies the mutual benefits of well-designed government internships. For students, these experiences provide practical application of academic learning, professional network development, and career clarification. For government organizations, interns bring fresh perspectives, additional capacity, and potential future talent.
As Philadelphia continues expanding programs like MIP and initiatives such as the City College for Municipal Employment, stories like Hamza’s demonstrate the value of investing in young professionals interested in public service. These programs not only develop individual careers but also strengthen the overall capacity of municipal government to serve residents effectively.
The intersection of academic preparation in philosophy with hands-on government experience created a powerful learning environment for Hamza. His evolution from curious observer to confident contributor illustrates the transformative potential of quality internship experiences in shaping both individual careers and organizational capacity for public service excellence.