Like all new University Grads I was sent out upon the world in search of a "great job". However, I was not looking for just a job, I was in pursuit of a challenging and rewarding career. With my University background in Psychology and Management I knew a career encompassing both management and humanity would be an ideal fit. Along with this background, I have a profound respect for the efforts that go into managing and organizing a Municipality. This long held respect pushed me to further look into the Government field. Initiating a internet search I typed three words "Municipal", "Internship", and "Government", these three words took me directly to the Municipal Internship website, the site you are currently looking at. Here I read every component of the site and found myself thinking, "This is for me, this what I have to do!".

It has been a little over a month and a half since I began working with my host municipality. When you first arrive at your new Municipality you will go through an assortment of emotions, from true excitement to feeling overwhelmed. Municipal administration is a multifaceted and ever-changing environment. As Interns we are faced with many novel situations and tasks. Although at first overwhelmed by this, I have come to truly embrace these challenges and even seek out more. Everyday I am learning so much, meeting compelling people, and constantly being exposed to new and exciting aspects of Municipal Government. One of the many excellent things this program encourages is that of contact with fellow interns. Your fellow interns are your support network, because no one understands you better as an Intern than; that is right, you guessed it: "another Intern". We keep in contact through E-mail, workshops, and Municipal Affairs & Housing held conferences.

Some of the activities I have been involved with so far include but are not limited to:

    * Interviewed for local paper
    * Took on the position of Recreational Coordinator
    * Coordinating and addressing outdoor pool/wading pool matters
    * Address summer staffing concerns
    * Interviewing, hiring, and scheduling summer staff
    * Coordinating with Summer Coordinator on festival and summer play programs
    * Attending Regular Council meetings; Regional Council meetings; EDO meetings; Mayors, Reeves, and Administrators meeting; and Committee meetings
    * Addressing labour standards
    * Attending a Returning Officers workshop
    * Conducting research and devising a survey
    * Reviewing and working on bylaws
    * Council minutes
    * Conducting property inspections
    * Making recommendations on policies
    * Working on a Municipal Display for Tourism Centre opening
    * Weekly meetings and discussions with management
    * Field trip with Alberta Films

The intent of this program is to set interns in motion on a successful career path in local government. I optimistically look forward to continuing my internship and career in local government. Let the journey of continuous learning and growth begin

Everyone wants a career that matters. Everyone wants a career that is important. It is in this spirit that local government employees find themselves in what can be one of the most rewarding atmospheres you could find. The world is a big place but for most people the world that they live in is small. It is comprised of their backyard, their neighbours, their street and their municipality. The fact that a person just like you or me, by way of a little effort and morality, can change the world for these people is as big a motivator as I can fathom. The reason I got into this program after graduation was my desire to contribute and my need for something challenging. I am happy to say that I have already found both in my short time involved in municipal government. I have written up requests for decision, undertaken research using surveys and print sources, attended meetings and conferences, and even worked with budgets and taxes. To make this accomplishable I have had access to resources and individuals that have made the most complex subjects clear in their purpose and process. It is this that I have enjoyed the most so far. The opportunity to learn from so many competent and creative people is one that comes around so rarely that when it does you have no choice but to get on board. What results is an understanding and appreciation for the field that is unique and invaluable for your future career. A career that matters.

Well, it is hard to believe that a month has already passed in the Municipal Internship program. It feels as though I have already learned so much in this one month and when I realize that I still have 11 months ahead of me I can't help but be excited about the areas I will venture into.

The Internship program appealed to me as it allows you to work in a variety of areas within Municipal Government and discover how each of these areas function and interrelate together. Where else do you get the opportunity to work in all areas of an organization? It is definitely a unique opportunity that will not only shape into a rewarding career but will be a valuable learning experience.

My first few weeks as a Municipal Intern involved attending a variety of conferences including CAMA, (The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators) and FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities.) Attending these conferences allowed for the realization of how so many municipalities across the province and nation are linked. I was also able to view Municipal Government in a new perspective. This is viewing Municipal Government as being at the level that connects most to the people that they are aiming to serve. Think about it - How often do we meet with Provincial Government Leaders? Federal?

After this time I began working with the Property and Tax department. I spent a week with the department and each day was a new experience. The first few days involved actually going out and measuring homes with an assessor. While doing this we were geared up in hard hats and steel toe boats; part of the safety requirements of the job when working around new construction. Time was also spent going into new homes and determining their tax rates based on the quality of interior fixtures, for instance oak cabinets, ceramic tiles and the like.

The next move was into Emergency Services. The first morning working with the department there was motor vehicle accident just outside town. I was able to tag alone in the cruiser car with the Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services to investigate the scene. Basically we were there to determine if it was necessary to call in STARS services. (Helicopter rescue) Strathcona County is unique in its Emergency Services approach as Fire, EMS and rescue are all integrated. I have also had the privilege to explore all the different functions of a fire truck, ambulance and emergency rescue vehicles. In the next few days I will be spending time in the 9-11 call centre, as well as trying on firefighting gear and possibly going on more calls depending on incidents that are occurring.

After this week I will be taking a jump over to the Human Resources department where I will be spending three weeks. Each department is so different and it is quite the mind shift making the move over, but all at once very exciting!

I would recommend the Municipal Internship program to anyone who is looking for a rewarding learning experience in Municipal Government. Everyday is a new experience that allows one to gain so much insight into exactly what occurs in Municipal Government operations.

One of my greatest fears upon graduating from university was whether or not I would find a job and more importantly, would I like the job I eventually took. I suppose it is a luxury to find a profession one truly enjoys working in, but I felt after reading the brochure for the Municipal Internship Program that it was designed with me in mind! Having a Political Science degree, I was used to people asking me, "And what can you do with that?" I am more aware than ever what amazing doors my degree will open. The Internship program provided a tremendous opportunity to experience one of the most underestimated areas of government in a safe learning environment. The program takes recent grads eager to learn, and puts them into a situation where they will be trained and guided by the experts in the field. My own personal experience with the Town of Taber has exceeded my expectations. I was embraced by administration and welcomed into the fold unconditionally as part of the team. I have since been given a taste of each department including Public Works, Planning and Economic Development, and Corporate Services, as well as one on one interaction with the citizens of Taber, the local MLA, and Taber Town Council. I also have the pleasure of close relationship with my supervisors and enjoy a very open door policy with my CAO, who I'm sure is tired of all my questions. All in all, I look forward to going to work and no longer worry about my future career plans. There are so many facets to municipal governance it would be difficult not to find an area which matches my personality and my career goals perfectly.

Idealism and Destiny

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - These words first came to me on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand from a young western monk who just returned from Nepal.

"The only person you have control over in your life is yourself. Don't try and influence other people. If you live for a long time - this is a big responsibility. If you live only for a short time then you have set an example for others"

At twenty years of age this presentation of self control and personal agency was new and exciting.

"In order to be the change you want to see in the world, you needed to take control of your life, your decisions and your actions."

My second year back at university I started to think about how I could make an impact with my degree. What example could I set? How could I be the change I wanted to see in the world? So I scoured the career fairs and interviewed every single representative to understand where the opportunities lay to make my footprint in community futures.

Last year I stumbled upon a booth full of dreamers. These young enthusiasts promoted the Municipal Intern program with great candor. They were convinced that my personal commitment to community and social progression were the main qualifications for the Municipal Intern program. So the application process began.

My expectations of the program were surpassed with my first communications with the Human Resources department in Canmore.

    Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

    - Margaret Mead

It is not a surprise to discover the municipal administration is an area which I have found passion. Not to mention an outlet for my creativity, skills, knowledge and desire to "make a difference". Local government touches the people in the community directly every day. Administration has control over enacting and enabling the strategic direction of the municipality. The greatest thing about the internship program is flexibility to once again set sail towards the peaks of noble dreams.

ACTIVITIES SO FAR: Partners in Injury Reduction Safety audit training, Development meetings (architect & developers), Environmental Scan communication with Senior Administration, Visioning session for the community Appropriate Dispute Resolution process, Hot Dog & Tour Guide at Civic Centre opening, Study Tours of Edmonton commercial area, Volunteer at the Children's Festival and much much more.