PLACEMENTS

"I think this is the best field work experience you could possibly have. This opened a lot of doors. They actually acted on recommendations I made that showed climate change has an effect on water resources. When I got back to the academic community, that really bolstered my progress." -- Jessica Bolson, Class IV Fellow

A key principle of the Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship is that Fellows' job placements are high-level positions where their work directly impacts present and future state government.

This is no entry-level internship role. Each Fellow is slotted into areas where critical needs must be addressed. And each Fellow must be able to work in concert with some of the state's top administrators, in addition to numerous other staff. It's a job for the very best young women and men Florida has to offer. And it's a job that reaps real-world benefits for our citizens, even as it helps craft our Fellows into stronger leaders.

Here is a small sample of job placements Florida Fellows have fulfilled, or are fulfilling, at exceptional levels. The first is a current placement focused on an all too urgent issue: economic recovery.

 PLACEMENT: FLORIDA OFFICE OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY
FELLOW: CHRIS TANNER, CLASS V

Chris, Class V Fellow, has quickly become a key member of the Florida Office of Economic Recovery. Governor Charlie Crist created the office to administer the distribution of $15 billion in federal stimulus funds through the year 2011. Chris has joined the office's small staff to help administer the funding, which involves more than 75 different programs and most state agencies.

In his role, Chris is involved in project management for ongoing and new programs at federal, state and local levels. He's getting a hands-on education in the full life cycle of state funding, from budget preparation to appropriations to expenditures, all the way through reporting. And he's helping manage both the administration and oversight of programs that address the full gamut of government services.

 PLACEMENT: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
FELLOW: JESSICA BOLSON, CLASS IV

Climate change is an issue Governor Crist immediately considered a priority for his administration. Jessica's project focused on one of the state's most critical concerns: the relationship between climate change and water, a driving force behind the state's economy, environment, and quality of life.

Jessica worked with DEP and the state's five water management districts to research how climate change may affect Florida's water resources. Her report identified steps for necessary actions to address present and future environmental policy, including how best to manage our valuable resources and counter some of the adverse effects of climate change.

 PLACEMENT: DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
FELLOW: KAREN MODZELEWSKI, CLASS IV

A key component to any success story is a strong, thoughtfully designed strategic plan. DMS wished to address exactly that in 2008, crafting a strong strategic plan for each program area. It was a project of remarkable scope, given that DMS provides products and services to 1.1 million customers statewide across a broad spectrum.

Karen's placement exposed her to a wealth of experience in strategic planning and project management, and the opportunity to work closely with senior executives in a consultancy role. In the project, she helped determine organizational standards, create an annual recurring strategic planning cycle, and provide training and support to the program areas in developing their strategic plans.