Recreation Internships:
Training or Torture?

by Sara Hensley

Steve knew he needed to complete a sixteen week internship before he could graduate. The recreation majors were encouraged to begin the search early and interview with at least three different agencies. Steve was frustrated and worried about selecting the right agency. He had heard many horror stories where recreation interns spent much of their time performing menial tasks rather than being exposed to professional learning. Steve was determined not to let this happen to him.

Three questions kept coming to Steve's mind. How do you know which agency to choose? On what do you base the decision? What criteria should be utilized to evaluate the agencies's offerings? Does this sound familiar?

Steve is just one of many students in the recreation field who will face this situation, but it does not have to be this way. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for the students and prospective agencies. However, the process must be a two-way street. Both parties involved need to be prepared, positive, patient and committed to a successful internship.

What should the agency provide?

1. Internship coordinator: A designated staff member to handle the internship process which may include:

A. Recruitment: speak to college classes, send letters providing internship opportunity information and advertise in the NRPA Internship Directory.

B. Site Visit Coordination: Once a student makes contact with a prospective site, it is important the agency provide a knowledgeable staff member to give an orientation, tour and employee introductions. If at all possible, the internship Coordinator should handle this.

C. Intern Profile: The Internship Coordinator should meet with the prospective student after the orientation, tour and staff introductions to allow the student the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. It is important for the agency to ask the student the following questions:

a. What do they perceive the mission of the agency to be?

b. What is their past experience in a park and recreation agency?

c. What is their major area of concentration?

d. What are their strengths? Weaknesses?

e. What expectations do they have for the internship?

f. What do they plan to do after the internship is completed?

D. Follow-up: The Internship Coordinator should share with the student how to proceed from this point. It is important to encourage the student to visit at least one other site. A quick decision could be detrimental to the student and the agency. It is also important to give the student an agency and/or internship manual. Even though the student has not made a decision about placement, this information will be helpful in the decision making process. Let the student know the Internship Coordinator will be sending a follow-up letter. This letter should include a thank you for their interest in the agency and/or a possible internship offer. Be sure to mention a cutoff date to hear from them. The agency may have other prospective interns wishing to join the agency and limited slots available.

2. The agency internship manual should consist of the following information:

A. General Park District/Parks and Recreation agency information: brief history, Commissioners/Boards, staff listing, center/facilities, organizational chart, sampling of common forms, former intern listing with samples of their projects and assignment sheets.

B. Agency guidelines: policies/procedures, work schedule, pay (if any), how assignments are made, problem or grievance procedure, the staffs role and office quarters.

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C. Evaluation process: student's review of agency and the review of the student by the agency.

D. Career assistance opportunities: access to assorted job bulletins, the NRPA and IPRA job assistance services, resume and cover letter assistance, and the opportunity to visit other agencies, local and out of town.

What should the student provide?

1. Resume with cover letter; This should actually be mailed to the agency in advance of the interview. This gives the Internship Coordinator an opportunity to review the resume and develop questions.

2. Internship Manual from the College: This manual needs to be mailed with the resume/cover letter. However, the student should bring it with them for the interview process if they are unable to mail it.

3. Questions about the agency: Students should know a little bit about the prospective agency. Do not go into an interview not knowing the general information such as: population served, correct department name, Director's name, name of person with whom you are interviewing and general program information. Take the initiative to call or write for the latest brochure! Students should ask questions such as:

A. Will I receive a well-rounded internship and have the opportunity to work in a variety of areas?

B. Is the internship a paid expense? If not, will there be ways to earn money?

C. Will I have the opportunity to attend staff, professional organization and business meetings?

D. What is the process for dealing with conflict situations such as complaints or concerns I might have?

E. Will I be screened out of the unpleasant situations instead of sharing them as learning opportunities?

4. Proper Professional Image: Pleasant personality and appropriate dress. This is the student's opportunity to "sell" themselves. Dress clothes and a smile go a long way!

5. Contact with college internship supervisor: The student needs to make sure that the college internship supervisor is kept informed of the interview and selection process for their approval.

6. Follow-up: A thank you letter to the agency with some mention of when a decision will be made of the internship choice. When the student accepts an offer from an agency, a letter to the other prospective agencies needs to be sent. This will inform them of the decision and will keep a slot open for another student. Set a start date with the accepted internship site and put it in writing to verify.

Now What Happens?

The agency should send a seminar schedule and internship assignment sheet to the student at least one month prior to the start date (a sample seminar schedule (1), and assignment sheet (2) are shown on the following page). The student needs to review the schedule and assignment sheet. If there are any questions/concerns, the student should notify the internship Coordinator and work out the kinks. If no concerns/questions are raised, then sit back, relax and read more about the agency you will be working with for the next 12-16 weeks.

Once You Are On Board!

The first week of the internship is usually spent reintroducing the intern to staff and areas. It is not uncommon for a student to feel nonproductive the first couple of weeks. Do not worry, ask questions and take this time to contact the staff on the assignment sheet. Set up an initial meeting to begin the responsibilities/job assignments.

Students should meet with the direct agency supervisor at least once a week. Remember, the direct supervisor may not be the internship Coordinator. Share with this supervisor your successes and failures. Do not be afraid to offer suggestions and always be open to suggestions by staff members. It is important that you feel like you are a part of the team. This is both the student's and the agency's responsibility. Students should be included in every aspect of the agency's operation. It is also important to inform your agency supervisor if you would like to know more about a particular area. Do not assume everything on the assignment sheet is written in stone. Your supervisor may not be able to delete a responsibility, but I am sure it would be possible to add an area.

If you do not feel comfortable and settled into the internship by the end of the third week, visit with the direct agency supervisor. Share the reasons why things are not falling into place. Be honest! Hopefully, you can get on the right track. Remember, they are there to assist you.

Accountability/Commitment

Is your agency committed to providing students with a well-rounded internship? Students put their trust and open their minds to the agencies that offer these opportunities. The professional practitioners in the field of parks and recreation need to continue to work with our partners in the universities and colleges to offer quality, well organized internship programs. This cooperative effort is a positive step for the school, agency and the student.

Robert H. Shaffer said it best, "We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit."

(accompanying samples follow on the next page)

About the Author

Sara Hensley is the Director of Recreation for the Champaign Park District.

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Sample 1

CHAMPAIGN PARK DISTRICT
Intern Seminars

The following seminars have been arranged for you to participate in and to provide you with background information on the various aspects of the Champaign Park District. Unless you have been contacted by the staff member who is hosting the seminar requesting a specific location (or another location is listed), the seminars will be held at the Bresnan Meeting Center.

Sample 2

CHAMPAIGN PARK DISTRICT
Intern Assignment Sheet

STUDENT NAME: LEE SURE OFFICE LOCATION: SPRINGER RECREATION CENTER SUPERVISOR: RAMEY HEES PROGRAM LEADERSHIP —Assist with programming of volleyball leagues (Barr) —League and local rule for Adult Sports (Crump) —Assist with all aspects of Springer Center & programs (Hees/Heiser/ Hurst) —Teen Board Activities (Hees/Heiser/Hurst) —Assist with facility management (Sabbach) PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION —News releases and PSAs (Hurd/Vaughn) —Assist with preparation of Spring '94 brochure (Hurd) —Assist publicity/promotion of Tennis Center (Hurd/Vaughn/Paul) COMUNITY INVOLVEMENT —Assist with planning of Holidays on the Farm (Hurd) —Assist with Monster Mash/Bonfire at Kaufman Lake (Barr) —Assist with Tree Lighting (Wright) —Assist with For Kids Only (1 day/wk.) (Belanger) —Assist with Halloween Funfest (Whiteley) —Assist with a Special Event at the Tennis Center (Paul)

OPERATIONS Spend two days with field maintenance (Miller) Spend two days with maintenance crew (Schneider) OFFICE Work two days at the front desk (McGrew) Spend two days in Accounting Department (Seibold) TRAINING SESSIONS Weekly seminars with staff members (Staff) Tour of facilities and parks (Toalson) MEETINGS —Attend all Board meetings — 7:00 p.m. on second Wednesday of each month at Bresnan Center —Attend Recreation Staff Meetings — once a month —Attend any C.I.R.C.L.E. (Central Illinois Recreation Council for Leisure Experiences) (Hensley) —Weekly review/reaction sessions (Hensley) NOTE: You are encouraged to observe as many programs as possible. Observations, comments, etc. should be included in your weekly reports. If you see a program, project, or aspect you would like to gain more experience in, please let me know.

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