According to the Department of Labor and Industry, the City of Philadelphia is the third largest employer in the county. With over 25,000 workers, it’s almost like a small world of its own. Now that I’m an intern for the city, I’ve had the chance to see what it’s like to be part of that world.  

My name is Hamza, and I joined the Mayor’s Internship Program earlier this summer. Since then, I have learned a lot about what it means to work in public service.  

I’ve always cared about helping others and being part of a community. 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. A public servant takes responsibility for their work and becomes a key part of the community because of it.  

When I chose which department to work in, I had one goal in mind: I wanted to see how city government works as a whole. As a philosophy major at Temple University, I’m always trying to understand the world better. To do that, I believe you have to understand the people in it. That’s how I ended up working in the Office of Talent and Employee Success as a part of the broader CAO (Chief Administrative Officer’s) team.  

My first few days as a public servant were eye-opening.  My team gave me the warmest of welcomes and helped me settle in quickly. They didn’t just help me feel comfortable; they helped me see the big picture. Soon, I wasn’t just watching how things worked. I was part of it.  

I realized something important: my goal of understanding had grown into something even bigger. Now, as a public servant, I don’t just search for understanding—I help create it. I help build connections between people and departments, just like my team did for me.  

I don’t know everything this internship will bring, but I feel ready for it. That confidence has shown me that I really do belong here, serving the public.