Intern finds IAPD challenging
This year 23 high school students from various areas of Illinois are in Springfield for the Illinois Governmental Internship Program. An intern is working in the Illinois Association of Park Districts' office.

By Cathy Varley

The governmental internship program began in 1975 with students only from Springfield high schools. In 1979, the program became statewide and is now recognized nationally for its excellence.

Students are made aware of the program by their respective high school counselors and teachers. They apply in the spring of their junior year by writing an essay about their reasons for wanting to participate in the program. In addition, the students write a short autobiography about themselves. The applications are processed, and selected students are scheduled for interviews.

The interview is comprised of three steps. The first involves filling out a questionnaire concerning the student's personality. The next step is to resolve two hypothetical situations. The last step is an interview by a group of four people. During the interview students are asked questions about their backgrounds and families, academic records, school activities, reasons for applying and what they hope to get from the program.

After being accepted, the students have to complete a housing questionnaire. This helps the housing director place them in Springfield. The students make choices on the types of families they want to live with. For example, they can request a family with small children or a widow. They can also base their housing requests on religious preferences.

The internship program begins in August for those students who participate during the first semester of their senior year. During the first week, the interns have two days of orientation and interviews at various State offices. The students list their placement preferences and the sponsors indicate their intern choices.

Illinois Parks and Recreation      14       November/December 1984

Guy Anderson and Donald Davis, the program's coordinators, match the sponsors and interns. In the middle of their second week, the interns go to work.

I became interested in this program to see how well I could do on my own in a totally new environment. I also thought it would be interesting to learn about government and the way it works firsthand. In school we would read a textbook that might not be very up-to-date. Furthermore, I felt that I would learn more by participating in an actual office setting than by sitting in a classroom and being told that things occur in a set manner.

My internship will last until January, 1985. Then I will return to school and complete my senior year. At this point, I haven't decided which college I would like to attend, but I am planning on majoring in international business or finance. I believe this intern experience will help me in the future. Not only will I learn about the operations of various park districts in the State, but I will also be able to relate to people better and become more confident about the decisions I make. However, the most important part of this program will be learning about the IAPD office and being involved in its operation.

After one month I'm still becoming oriented to the Illinois Association of Park Districts. By December I'm confident the experience of working with 22 other interns, the program staff and the IAPD staff will bring many rewards that I'll cherish. In addition, this will further prepare me for college and adjusting to life away from home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cathy Varley, 17, is currently a student intern with the Illinois Association of Park Districts. A resident of Peoria, she attends Woodruff High School. She plans to obtain degrees in international business and work for an international corporation.

Illinois Parks and Recreation       15      November/December 1984