Internship programs should coordinate studies and on-the-job experience.

By Tim Sexton

Most Illinois park districts and recreation agencies have worked with various colleges and universities to offer practical experience for students majoring in leisure services. The boards of commissioners and staffs of these agencies believe that an intensive on-the-job experience is advantageous to not only the student, but also to the community and the participating agency.

Some purposes of an internship program are to:

• strengthen the recreation movement by increasing the number of competent professionals,

• bridge the gap between professional education and practice,

• assist recent graduates with unusual growth potential to secure the best possible professional preparation,

• strengthen the relationships among colleges and universities, professional recreation curricula and recreation agencies statewide, and

• aid operating agencies in finding young professional leaders with promise for long-term growth.

The selection process

Currently, many park districts and recreation agencies accept interns from any college or university if they meet other requirements established by the agency's board or staff. Some districts look at an intern applicant's desire to learn and work with people, academic standing, enthusiasm, the potential to fill a staff void and professional dedication. The applicant's personal interview, letter of application and recommendations from previous employers are also an important part of the intern selection process.

An internship can be an influential period in a person's life. This is a time when the theory of a field is applied directly to "real life" situations. However, if there are no connections between the recreation agencies and the educational institutions, there is no way of knowing how well students are being prepared for their careers in parks and recreation.

Necessary communication

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) serves as the link between the recreation agencies and the educational institutions which offer park and recreation curricula. The NRPA sets standards and accredits those colleges and universities which meet them. However, all recreation agencies benefit in an indirect manner.

The standards which guide the education of future professionals also contribute to the entire recreation profession. Each agency should show support for these educational standards and improve its internship program(s). This can be accomplished by accepting students only from institutions accredited by the NRPA.

By adopting this policy, an agency's board and staff will publicly state their concern for having well educated future practitioners in the park and recreation field. The maintenance of high educational standards will be recognized and supported by the governing members of each public recreation agency.

The impact of this policy must, of

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 25                                                       July/August 1985

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course, be considered. The agency will have a higher quality student population from which to choose interns. At the same time, the target population will be narrowed. This creates the potential for more specific marketing strategies to attract students to an agency and its field-work program. A larger agency may want to have one field-work student at all times.

A continuing challenge

Each agency can more effectively meet the purposes and goals of its in-ternship programs by selecting better qualified students. There will also be greater opportunities for students to meet their objectives.

All park districts and recreation agencies must announce to both their profession and to the public that they expect qualified entry-level personnel. The Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the NRPA are earning a more respectful image for the recreation field by requiring certification of their members and urging participation in continuing education programs. Individual park districts and recreation agencies can also adopt this policy to help the leisure field be recognized as a credible profession.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tim Sexton obtained an undergraduate degree in recreation administration from George Williams College in 1983. He finished course work at Western Illinois University and recently completed a six-month intemship with the Arlington Heights Park District. He is currently program supervisor for the Villa Park Rcreation Department.

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 26                                                       July/August 1985