A.Description of Internship

1. Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Rec District is a special-purpose district that provides public parks and recreation to its community.

2. This internship was offered in the Community Outreach Department of the Park District as a Marketing and Event Planning Internship for the summer of 2016.

1. Responsibilities include planning and implementing special events that occur on the island throughout the summer as well as designing future events.

2. Additional tasks include marketing and social media research, collaborating with other agencies on events, learning and entering volunteer information into the District’s volunteer portal, and creating and designing marketing materials.

3. Additional to completing HR trainings I was able to do my van training in order to complete various errands. A specific marketing idea I designed for Facebook promotions was implemented and used throughout the summer; the Facebook Summer Basket Giveaway contest took place once a week for six weeks.

 

B.Internship Technical Contents

1. I attended meetings on a weekly basis to oversee the upcoming implementation of projects. During these projects I was part of set-up, the implementation process, and take down. Computer research and field work such as putting up posters, talking to businesses, taking photographs, and engaging in the community are a few ways I learned to market this agency to the public.

2. People skills and a go-getter personality are necessary for event planning jobs that revolve around people. Common sense, determination, and long workdays are a few aspects needed for getting the work done required to give a community events and unique marketing. Excel, common computer knowledge, and a willingness to learn and fail are all abilities crucial to working in this field.

3. There are many courses throughout my time at A&M that came in handy here at the Parks District. I used my ISYS 210 excel skills and some accounting basics that helped me understand the budgeting meetings as well as how to balance the credit cards. I was able to take what I learned from my organizational behavior course and identify certain personalities and relationships within the office.

4. As my goal is to become a manager in the outdoor industry or at an event-planning agency, this job has taught me innumerable skills that relate to my long-term achievements. As a professional, this is my first real taste entering the workforce and I obtained mannerisms, language skills, and behaviors acceptable for an office environment. I also learned the importance of job assignments to long-term professional development.

 

C.Description of Work Environment

1. Bainbridge Island is a small island that many people bike around while most rely on cars. I planned to rely on a bicycle from the Park District but found it too difficult for many reasons and ended up buying a motorized scooter from Seattle. I would recommend bringing a car.

2. The weather is beautiful but ranges from 50 degrees and raining to 90 degrees and sunny. Office dress is very casual and they provide District t-shirts for events.

3. I was expected to be in the office from 8:30a to 5p everyday with an hour given for lunch. Due to the events that I helped with I often worked 12-hour days and therefore was allowed several three-day weekends.

4. I was provided free housing from the District in a nice four bedroom home located five minutes from the office and seven minutes from downtown.

 

D.Recommendations

1. This was an eye-opening internship with numerous amounts of benefits and experiences to offer. I highly recommend this opportunity, as it was a great way to dip your toes into a professional environment before graduation.

2. I believe this internship would benefit those studying management but not as much as it pertains to other business majors. My minor is in Professional Event Management, obtained from the RPTS Department at Texas A&M, and this internship is very applicable to those studies as well as management in general.

3. This company has a variety of opportunities for students of different studies. This organization is dedicated to the work they do and they offer a welcoming atmosphere for interns. I highly recommend this company for anyone who is interested in using their business degree outside of the corporate world like I am. This is a small company with a family-like atmosphere that will allow you to dive into your interests within the District’s realm of work.

4. Not only are the people at this company amazing and lifelong colleagues, but Bainbridge Island is a beautiful place to spend a summer. The island is a 30-minute ferry ride from Seattle and is surrounded by mountains, ocean, and infinite outdoor opportunities. If you are interested in this lifestyle as well as pursuing your career, this is the ideal place for it.

 

My greatest takeaway...

 

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