Evaluating the Internship
Now that I have completed my internship, I would like to evaluate my experience with Provo Parks and Recreation. I feel like I have accomplished a lot during this summer at The Center. It gave me a very accurate perspective on what it would be like to work in the recreation service and event planning industry. I learned that if you want events to go smoothly, you need to plan far in advance. I also learned from example how to delegate and use the resources around me that are available to get big jobs done. If I could change anything about this experience, I would change the season that I interned for this company. Even though summer was busy, I think that the best time of year would be to work in the fall/winter because of all of the holidays.
In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to evaluate the agency. Like any company, this one has strengths and weaknesses. Some of its strengths are cleanliness, organization, and strong leadership. Some of its weaknesses are low resources, lack of funds, and not enough variety in the type of activities/programs/events offered. Based on this, I would recommend that interns should continue to use this agency.
In the future, I plan to work full time for the military as my career. I know that the experiences that I had in this internship will contribute to my success in the future as a leader in the army and because there are many opportunities for recreation experiences in the military.
Evaluating the RMYL Program
Also, now that I am done with my educational career at BYU and in the Recreation Management and Youth Leadership Department, I would like to evaluate my experiences in this program as well. I feel that I have done well in meeting the overall Recreation Management and Youth Leadership program learning outcomes as a major in the department. Below, I will list each outcome and describe the ways that I have met these objectives.
-Design, implement, and evaluate meaningful leisure experiences - I have had a wide variety of experience in this area through my different courses in the RMYL program and because of my internship. Because of these things I have been through the designing/implementing/evaluating phase of leisure activities many times.
-Demonstrate excellence in analytical thought, oral, and written communication - Because of the different assignments that I have been required to complete in my variety of courses, I feel that I have learned a great deal and am now good at things like analytical thought and oral and written communication.
-Articulate, utilize, and be informed by the philosophies and theories of recreation and leisure - Through participating in this program at BYU, I have been amazed to learn how much there really is to recreation and leisure. There are many theories that I have been able to put into practice.
-Contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, the Church, and communities - I have had many opportunities to contribute to the well-being of others through service activities and other local opportunities in the area.
-Lead and inspire others through effective interpersonal skills and positive relationships - Through my experiences in this program and my experiences in the military, I have been given many opportunitites to lead and inspire the people around me. It does not always come easily, but it definitely gets easier with practice and an increase in experiences.
-Grow spirituality, build character, and respect diversity - Being at BYU has helped me grow spiritually and build character. I have learned to respect diversity as well being surrounded by so many great people through work and school.
-Develop key management skills - I think I learned this one best just by being surrounded by great management examples in my schooling and my work (including my internship). Sometimes the best way to learn is just by watching others, do what they do, and then fix your mistakes.
