HCWA Offering Paid Summer Internships for Rising High School Juniors and Seniors

Internship Program provided in partnership with Southern Crescent Technical College

(McDonough, GA – March 24, 2025) The Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) has several strategies for introducing local students to careers in the water profession, but none are as engaging or impactful as its paid summer internships.

The HCWA is continuing its partnership with Southern Crescent Technical College to offer a Summer Internship Program this year, which provides rising high school juniors and seniors with an opportunity to take SCTC courses for college credits while getting real-world work experience at the award-winning water utility.

During the Summer Internship Program, participating students split their time during the week between classes at SCTC (two days per week) and work responsibilities in various departments at the Authority (three days per week). This year’s Summer Internship Program runs from June 2 – July 25. 

The Authority will be hosting an Information Session on the Summer Internship Program on Thursday April 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the SCTC Henry County Center, located at 300 Lakemont Drive in McDonough. It is open to prospective student interns – rising high school juniors and seniors – as well as their parents.

Last year, 14 high school students participated in the HCWA-SCTC Summer Internship Program, taking classes applicable to the water profession and for their career development, while working in key areas of HCWA operations, such as water quality management, infrastructure maintenance, and public outreach.

This summer, the Internship Program will expand its impact to include paid part-time positions in the fields of water treatment, wastewater treatment, IT, reservoirs and grounds, advanced metering infrastructure, water loss, as well as purchasing and inventory.
-more-

HCWA Summer Internships for Rising High School Juniors and Seniors
Marketed to high school students who would like to “learn while they earn,” the Summer Internship Program offers select SCTC courses that are a component of the internship and that run concurrently with the work the interns will be doing at the HCWA.

In addition to working within the various departments of HCWA operations and systems, interns will be assigned an HCWA employee mentor, who will share additional knowledge with them about the water profession during the summer program. Interns selected for the program will be paid $14 per hour, while possibly receiving financial aid for their SCTC courses. The minimum age requirement for participation is 16 years old.

In addition to hosting a Summer Internship Program to recruit students interested in career opportunities within the water profession, the HCWA staff also is involved in Work-Based Learning with Henry County Schools, as well as Career Fairs at local high schools.
“We are committed to shaping the workforce of our community by partnering with Southern Crescent Technical College to provide meaningful opportunities for young talent to attain real-world training, mentoring, and work experience, such as what they will get through our Summer Internship Program,” says Tamara Woodie, HCWA Director of HR and Risk Management. “Our summer interns will learn essential life skills as well, while getting a deeper understanding of the critical role water infrastructure plays in our daily lives. Our Internship Program is one of many ways we try to cultivate the next generation of water professionals.” 

This will be the third year the HCWA has offered paid internships through its Summer Internship Program. There are limited spots available this year, so interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

In addition to the Information Session being held at SCTC on April 17, students interested in the Summer Internship Program can receive additional details online at www.sctech.edu/STEMSummerInstitute or by emailing Melissa.Jackson@sctech.edu.

The HCWA Summer Interns from last year celebrate completion of the program with Richard Sylvia (far left), HCWA Secretary/Treasurer, Tony Carnell (back row, center), HCWA General Manager, and Dr. Irvin Clark (far right), with Southern Crescent Technical College.







HCWA Summer Intern Denise Wiggins works in the Tussahaw Plant water quality lab during her internship last year. The HCWA is offering paid summer internships again this summer, from June 2 – July 25.


















Jadon Hermit, an intern at the HCWA last year, learns about infrastructure maintenance during his time in the Summer Internship Program. HCWA Summer Interns “earn while they learn” thanks to a partnership with Southern Crescent Technical College.















Nicholas Howard, a 2024 HCWA Summer Intern, cuts grass at the Authority’s Cubihatcha Center in Locust Grove. Howard was one of 14 students participating in last year’s HCWA Summer Internship Program, which will be offered again this summer to rising high school juniors and seniors.