Focused on enhancing careers

The Miami-Dade County Human Resources (HR) Department offers a one-stop shop for internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and volunteer opportunities. HR section manager, Kia Scott, has been leading a countywide initiative and doing an amazing job.

“Our focus is on helping people find placements within our County departments by aligning their talents and areas of interest with available opportunities,” Scott explained. “We offer both paid and unpaid internships that provide students and aspiring professionals hands-on experience to apply skills, gain valuable knowledge and build meaningful connections for the term.

Although the internships don't guarantee job placement, our apprenticeships are linked to educational opportunities in partnerships with local colleges and are designed to ensure readiness for job placement upon completion.

Through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, Miami-Dade County employees or Bigs, are paired with Miami-Dade County Public Schools high school students, or Littles, who meet monthly during school hours for immersive, real-world work experiences and learning. 

Lastly, the County’s volunteering opportunities enable students and others seeking to fulfill community service requirements and other such obligations a viable pathway to do so.

“This is a great place to be right now,” Scott added. “Collaborating with community partners and attracting new talent to learn about the County through these programs is crucial to our organizational future.”

HR recently hosted the 2024 Summer Intern Summit: “Empowering the Workforce of the Future.” The panel discussion featured directors from several major County departments who imparted their specialized expertise to the interns through discussions on how the County can attract, retain and develop new talent. 

Scott holds two masters degrees and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development at Barry University. Her diverse experience makes her relatable and an excellent communicator.

“I grew up dancing and volunteered at the Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in 1998. That led to a teaching job and eventually a position in the Arts and Culture Division in the Parks Department.

In 2007, I became a Miami-Dade County Public Schools elementary teacher, but in 2018, I returned to the County as a PROS Recreation Area Manager overseeing multiple afterschool program sites across the County.”

Scott emphasized that she never does anything halfway. With each new role, she embraces the challenges, drawing from her experience and background to make a difference and create a lasting impact.

“Being adaptable and managing situationally has served me well,” Scott said. “I feel like I am in the right place at the right time here in HR to empower others by connecting them with what they need in our County. It’s so gratifying.”

Outside of work, family and faith are Scott’s priorities. She has a loving husband of 21 years and two daughters: one a high school senior and the other a recent FIU graduate preparing for medical school. “They keep me centered and make me proud every day.”