Worn, wooden ‘Public Works’ sign in front of a distant blurred crowd.

Learning stormwater management might not sound exciting to teens and young adults, but in one North Dakota city, college students are getting a taste of different municipal jobs and leaders say it will help future staffing levels.

Despite recruiting progress, local governments in the U.S. are bracing for a wave of retirements. Grand Forks is wrapping up its 10th year of an internship program to confront the challenges.

Noah Lund, a student at the University of North Dakota, is getting a firsthand look at a career in civil service, thanks to the city’s partnership with the school. A marketing major, Lund did social media work for the city’s fire department this summer.

“I’ve had an amazing experience being able to capture all the great things that they do,” Lund said. “Including their training, all the community events that they (have) going on.”

Fire officials said such work keeps communities informed about public safety matters. Other students learned about managing the city’s budget or engineering models of stormwater systems.

Labor analysts have said while some jobs in the private sector can be more lucrative, a local government career provides stability. They said it is important as the cost of living increases. A career in local government is also seen as a way to open a young adult’s eyes about community needs.

Noelle Martin, another UND student who graduates this December, said her internship was focused on connecting new Americans to key resources.

“Finding housing, connecting them with essential health care resources,” Martin said. “It has actually led me to pursue a career in immigration as an attorney.”

Not all interns will choose to apply for a city job right away, but supporters of the programs said it plants a seed as these students transition to the workforce. Coordinators added the outreach can help convince students to live and work locally. In the latest report to the city council, Grand Forks officials reported 20 hirings stemming from the internship effort.