Will County Interns Make a Difference

This summer, Will County welcomed a talented group of high school and college interns who gained hands-on experience across several departments. These included County Executive Office, Animal Protective Services, the Division of Transportation, the Community Mental Health Board, and ICT. Working alongside county staff, elected officials, and community partners, the interns developed professional skills, explored career paths, and made meaningful contributions to county initiatives.

Each internship offered unique opportunities for learning and growth while giving students valuable insight into careers in public service. Below are some of the highlights from our interns!

Makenna Shanahan – County Executive Office

"Working alongside an attorney, so many dedicated staff and meeting elected officials strengthened my interest in public service and confirmed my goal of attending law school."

Samara Tummavichakul – Animal Protective Services

"This internship only confirmed that this is the path I want to pursue in life and made me more confident to learn, ask questions, and take every opportunity offered."

Beth Gadzinski – Animal Protection Services 

"Being able to witness the good, bad and sometimes gross ins and outs of animal care helped confirm that I am on the right path with my career." 

Joshua Clem – ICT Department

“This internship supports my long-term goals by giving me practical experience in IT. It helped me gain a better understanding of IT operations and build my own confidence in a professional technical environment.”

Tim Cantu – ICT Department

“This internship gives me experience in the field of cybersecurity as well as a sense of what strengths and weaknesses I have with this field.”

Taryn Sarver – Division of Transportation

"Observing how transportation and engineering come together to solve real-world problems has been the most rewarding part of my internship."

Ryan Loehr – Division of Transportation 

Ryan gained valuable field experience alongside engineers, learning about construction management, surveying equipment, and roadway safety. 

"The field experience gave me the opportunity to observe engineers in action and eventually take on responsibilities myself." 

Anna Mungcal – Community Mental Health Board 

Anna developed marketing, communication, and office management skills while helping promote behavioral health resources throughout Will County. 

"Meeting passionate people who care deeply about the community has been the most rewarding part of my internship."