WEST CHESTER, PA — Pennsylvania’s Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor recognized Montgomery County resident Francisco Molina as the first graduate of the Intern to Hire program on Wednesday.
Launched just 16 months ago, the Intern to Hire initiative aims to create career pathways for students from Pennsylvania colleges and universities by offering them hands-on experience through internships. Today, the program has eight students, with West Chester University alumnus Francisco Molina leading the way as its inaugural graduate.
“Francisco is now an auditor in our Bureau of County Audits, working full-time and on his path to a great career,” Auditor General DeFoor announced.
Reflecting on his journey, Molina acknowledged the significant role the Intern to Hire program played in his professional development. “During my time as an intern, I was able to gain experience by observing many different auditors and learning about the types of audits performed,” he said. “Working for the Department of the Auditor General is a great opportunity for students who want to further their accounting and finance careers.”
In another exciting development, DeFoor announced the expansion of the Intern to Hire program to encompass more areas of study. Inspired by a piece of advice he once received during job hunting – to look beyond the job title and read the entire posting – DeFoor said the department had done the same, expanding eligibility to students and graduates in nine areas of study.
For students to transition from interns to full-time employees under this program, they must meet specific criteria. These include being an undergraduate student in an accredited college/university, declared in a Bachelor’s degree program related to fields such as accounting, business, data analytics, finance, economics, math, or a closely related field; or a recent graduate of an Associate degree program in these areas. Alternatively, they could be enrolled as a graduate student in a declared master’s or doctorate degree program in the mentioned fields.
In addition to their academic qualifications, they must demonstrate a passion for their area of focus, commitment to public service, and a keen eye for detail coupled with a strong desire to learn.
On Feb. 20, DeFoor had announced that the Intern to Hire program and most job opportunities within his department were expanding to include associate degree graduates. This move marked a significant shift from the previous requirement of holding a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, along with completing 12 credits of accounting as part of their coursework, to be considered for a position at the Department of the Auditor General.
The Intern to Hire initiative, with its focus on providing practical experience and creating career pathways, signals the value the Department of the Auditor General places on nurturing young talent. As the program continues to grow and evolve, it promises to play a crucial role in shaping the careers of many more students like Francisco Molina, contributing to a vibrant and skilled workforce within the state’s auditing departments.
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