The Internship Experience
The agency supervisor and student, with the assistance of the Internship Coordinator, should cooperate in planning a comprehensive practical experience that meets the educational needs of the student. It is also recommended that students seek career advice and guidance from other faculty members in RPTM. The internship experience should include comprehensive opportunities in administration, as well as program development and leadership.
If possible, Internship should provide the student with experience in (or exposure to) a variety of professional functions. These functions may include budgeting and financial record keeping, personnel and supervision, public relations, program planning and implementation (including “hands-on” leadership), special event planning, facility planning and design, requisition and maintenance of equipment, and other areas of concern to entry-level professionals in the recreation, park, and tourism management field.
In order to provide students with the most meaningful and professionally appropriate internship experiences, the following types of experiences do not meet the requirements of RPTM 495A.
o Agencies that do not meet the definition of recreation service delivery in scope of services
o Retail in a sport-related store (e.g. Dicks, Appalachian Outdoors, etc.)
o Food and beverage, catering, restaurants or banquet services (unless the student’s time is largely spent coordinating and implementing special events)
o Working on-line or from home for an internship agency
o Disney “College Program” in any other “role” than Recreation, Vacation Planner, Character Attendant or Attractions. Disney “Professional Internships” are appropriate.
o Internships under the direct supervision of a relative, immediate family member, friend or any person who may not be able to provide objective evaluation of the student
o Camp Counselor (administrative positions at camps are acceptable)
o Life guarding (aquatics management roles may be approved depending on the job description)
o Equipment Manager for sports teams
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Internship Coordinator or Undergraduate Staff Assistant regarding the appropriateness of any internship prior to making application to the prospective internship agency.
In addition, internship students should be afforded the opportunity to participate in administrative meetings that are related to their assigned duties. If possible, students should be allowed to attend the agency’s policy and or advisory board meetings. In addition, students are required to visit at least two (2) other recreation and parks organizations during their Internship experience, and to attend relevant workshops and training sessions when possible.
Faculty Supervisor
The University will designate one Recreation, Park and Tourism Management faculty member to monitor the experience of each Internship student. Generally, the faculty supervisor will contact the student by telephone and email correspondence to provide feedback on written requirements and receive periodic updates on the Internship process. The agency supervisor is encouraged to contact the faculty supervisor as needs arise.
Agency Supervisor
Each Internship agency will designate one professional staff member to serve as the student’s agency supervisor. This individual is responsible for working with the student to develop and implement a systematic program designed to help the student meet his or her Internship goals. In addition, the agency supervisor will evaluate the student’s special project, and complete a mid-term and final evaluation on the student’s performance during the Internship.
The agency supervisor is, in effect, the student’s on-site “teacher” throughout the Internship process, and the quality of his or her supervision is critical to the success of the Internship experience. It is expected that weekly conferences will be scheduled between the student and agency supervisor to discuss written reports, evaluate the student’s progress, and plan future assignments and activities. These conferences should also provide an opportunity to answer the student’s questions and to discuss issues and trends related to the recreation, park and tourism management field.
Internship Student
Internship is a course of study with both an experiential and academic component. The Internship student, therefore, has the responsibility to conduct him or herself in a professional manner throughout the Internship process, and to document his or her experience through submission of written reports and assignments to the faculty supervisor.
