Like most students who are anticipating graduating from university, I asked myself the age-old question, "What am I going to do with my degree?" When I saw the advertisement for Alberta Municipal Affairs & Housing Internship Program I thought, "Why not?" The Internship offers students direct experience that makes them more marketable and it offers students the chance to see what a career in the municipal sector is like.

It is difficult not to be intimidated by my coworkers -- people who have spent up to twenty-five years in local government. I do feel fortunate to work with such a competent group of people, because they demonstrate how I should react in different situations. I will be more prepared in the future, not just to conduct myself in business, but also to be able to meet anyone, at any time. I feel absolutely privileged to be working with such high-quality people who make me feel like an important part of the team. I look forward to each workday because I know I will learn new things from my colleagues.

I find it a thrill to begin work each morning with the M.D., not only because of the wealth of information I am receiving, but also because of the variety of work I perform each day. Throughout my Internship I will work in every facet of municipal government. So far in my Internship I have worked with:

    * General Governance with my C.A.O., learning the ins and outs of municipal governance, attending Council Meetings, preparing agendas, and reviewing policies and bylaws;
    * Planning and Development, to understand the development process and how it pertains to my specific municipality;
    * Public Works, going on road construction, road inspections and dust control, building drainage ditches, and even learning how to operate a dozer and a backhoe;
    * Agriculture Services, in weed inspection; and
    * Environmental Services, both testing and sampling drinking water and even assisting in fixing a sewer pump.

In addition, I have expanded my range of research skills substantially, well beyond the skills required for most academic study. More importantly, I relish the possibility of producing a document that might have a small impact on the public policy process. The process of devising and defending recommendations was new and exciting. I have completed a Dog Control Bylaw and am in the process of reconstructing the water and sewer bylaws. Furthermore, I am working on a cost-benefit analysis of public versus private grader services and am designing a business plan that may affect the municipality for years to come.

Well, I haven't been in this program as long as any of the others, but so far I am finding it to be a good learning experience. I have only been here for three weeks and so far I have had the chance to do a variety of things. I've worked in the office, done all sorts of jobs in the finance department, and done some work with the public works section including: going along for garbage collection, painting cross walks, general shop maintenance, learning how to snake a sewer, and helping to put in a new sewer line. I also attend all council meetings. I have had the pleasure of spending time with the town's horticulturist as well. So in my short three weeks here I have learned that there really is no 'typical' day. Every day varies and I have learned to come to work expecting anything.

Although excited about entering the Municipal Internship program, I was initially unsure as to what I should expect. My political science and economics background had prepared me for the broad theory behind local government, but I was largely unfamiliar with a municipality’s day-to-day operations, and how it functioned in practice. Through the Municipal Internship program I have been able to gain a comprehensive understanding of local government. Moreover, by spending time working and learning in each of my host municipality’s functional areas I have acquired the experience and skills necessary to pursue a career in senior municipal management.

During the year that I spent with my host municipality, the County of Grande Prairie, I was rotated through each of its functional areas. This allowed me to experience the multitude of services delivered by a municipality: everything from Public Works’ infrastructure projects, to Finance’s strategic planning and financial reporting, to Law Enforcement’s policing strategies. As I quickly discovered, a year is a very short time in which to gain an understanding of each department’s contributions to local government. However, with the help of my co-workers and the municipal community I was able to quickly ‘learn the ropes.’

One of the most valuable parts of the Internship was the opportunity to observe the political process in action. This has been an eye-opening experience; in reality, there are very few simple political decisions, and it has been fascinating to watch how complex demands are balanced and effective policy is formulated. It has been gratifying to see the democratic process work so effectively at a truly “grass-roots” level.

The Municipal Internship has been an exciting and valuable experience. Over the year, I have grown personally and professionally, and I leave the Internship confident that I have a strong understanding of the Municipal sector, and certain that I have much to contribute to, and learn from, this vital level of government.

I was very fortunate to have been selected by the Town of Taber for the 2003-2004 internship program. Taber is an interesting community to intern in for many reasons. First, the Town operates the smallest municipal police force in Alberta, and we are proud to note that many of our members are asked to provide training in other locations due to their skill and expertise. Second, the Town boasts an integrated Fire and EMS service, which allows for greater coordination between these two Emergency Services. Third, Taber is experiencing a steady growth pattern, which provides the opportunity to make positive changes in a controlled manner.

In addition, the current Chief Administrative Officer began his career as an intern and is therefore able provide a lot of very valuable feedback and insight into a municipal government career from an intern’s perspective. He and the other staff at the Town of Taber made me feel welcome and a part of the team right away.

Personally, I have benefited from being a part of this program as I have learned about all aspects of municipal government. This will undoubtedly help me to make better decisions due to the unique insights that I have gained as an intern. Currently, I am employed by the Town of Taber in a permanent full-time position, specializing in Human Resources, Communications and Finance. My experience as an intern has been invaluable to me in this position.

I would be pleased to recommend the internship program to any individuals who are interested in a career in local government. It’s a great way to get into this exciting and worthwhile field, while making friends and learning at the same time.

The Municipal Internship is a special opportunity shared by only a few each year, and for myself it was an unparalleled as a career builder.

People often underestimate the influence of City Hall, but I learned that the decisions made behind those walls affect the parks I enjoy, the roads I drive on, the safety of my family, the events I attend, and most importantly the daily lives of my friends and neighbors in the community. This was exciting, and I wanted to be involved. Through this involvement in the Program I gained the knowledge necessary to manage, and the insight necessary to lead. I also studied administrative management practices, worked with local interest groups, negotiated with business and industrial leaders, and grappled with the issue of the public interest as it affects political decision-making. Most importantly, I was taught to consider all viewpoints, and to think logically, strategically, legally, and politically. Upon completion of the Internship, I felt prepared to take on any challenge that should arise, and indeed welcomed those challenges.

I have said before that the Internship Program is built upon a foundation of theory, practical experience, and personal relationships. Having now taken the step into municipal management, the importance of the foundation / learnings received during the Internship is even more evident. It was an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where an intern has the ability to see and touch everything. Therefore, my one bit of advice to individuals entering the internship would be to engage – endeavor to ask, question, investigate, interview, and to get involved. This will be key to your success within the program, and in fact, the opportunities for engagement are endless. Local government is so vast, so diverse, so challenging and fascinating, that you will discover a new interest every day.

The Municipal Internship is designed to guide the development of the future leaders of Municipal Government, and it instilled in me the knowledge and the passion required to find success in this exciting industry. I would recommend anyone to seize the opportunity.

As the last year of my undergraduate degree came to a close, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the public sector. When I heard about this internship, I knew that it could be a professional dream come true. The program has not disappointed me. The Municipal Internship Program has been an invaluable tool as I embark on my career in municipal government. I have been able to truly get a behind the scenes look at an entire municipal organization, an opportunity that so few will ever have.

As the Municipal Government Act defines, municipalities in Alberta have three broad purposes: to provide good government, to provide services that are necessary or desirable for a municipality, and to develop and maintain safe and viable communities. In essence, municipal organizations are responsible for making the act of providing service to groups of people in a defined geographical space into a “hometown” for their residents. We are in the business of building and sustaining communities. There is little that I now find more exciting than the processes that make this happen.

Through my 12 months in the program, I have observed and participated in many of these processes that make a community “home”: I have monitored the water distribution system that brings clean water to homes and businesses; I helped operate a street sweeper to clean up winter’s dust; I rode on an ambulance call that saved a man’s life; I organized a special event that celebrated the legacy of one of the community’s most cherished citizens. All of these activities directly affect the lives of the people who make your municipality their home.

Providing these services is, in my opinion, an important job. What is most important, however, is to provide these services at the highest quality possible. The democratic process of municipal government is what makes it so interesting, as it ensures that the public determines their priorities for their own community.

The experience I have had this year will undoubtedly remain for many years as a highlight of my professional career. The people I have met and the various discussions I have had have been absolutely extraordinary. Municipal management is a career that will offer me a lifetime of learning and making a difference in the lives of others. I can’t imagine anything more appealing than that!

Perhaps every experience impacts our life and our decisions regarding our professional and personal direction. Working as an intern for Alberta Municipal Affairs & Housing with the Town of Whitecourt was one of the most wonderful experience of my life. I believe this experience will have a big impact on both my personal life and future career.

I was really impressed with the way the intern program was structured and appreciated the time and effort Municipal Affairs & Housing’ staff had put into this program. From the very beginning, every intern got an Intern’s Guide Book and study manuals, which were very helpful in making the learning curve less steep. During the internship orientation, all the fellow interns got to know each other and kept in touch during this whole year. Not only have we developed good friendships, but also we have grown as a team, as well as individuals.

The internship also gave us ample opportunities to interact with senior executives and managers in the municipal sector. We had 36 guest speakers from different fields coming in and talking to us about their work and career paths during our Intern Executive Week. You can imagine how excited we were.

As an intern, I had the privilege to work with so many people on different projects from different sectors. Looking back, I am amazed by what I have learned and experienced during this whole year. I have conducted municipal financial control, annual budgeting, participated in municipal development planning, million-dollar engineering projects, grant application and human resource management, let alone all the fun experience: ride-along with RCMP, fire department’s “Burning House” exercise, and the P.A.R.T.Y. program.

Furthermore, the people I worked with allowed me to ask questions and provided me with opportunities to discuss my ideas with individuals in the community. Their behavior toward me inspired me to strive to treat others with this same respect and kindness.

I would highly recommend this internship to anyone who has interest in working at local government sector. I am very grateful that I was blessed to get into the intern program and continue to learn and to make positive changes wherever I am today and in the future.

The Municipal Internship is a special opportunity shared by only a few each year, and for myself it was an unparalleled as a career builder.

People often underestimate the influence of City Hall, but I learned that the decisions made behind those walls affect the parks I enjoy, the roads I drive on, the safety of my family, the events I attend, and most importantly the daily lives of my friends and neighbors in the community. This was exciting, and I wanted to be involved. Through this involvement in the Program I gained the knowledge necessary to manage, and the insight necessary to lead. I also studied administrative management practices, worked with local interest groups, negotiated with business and industrial leaders, and grappled with the issue of the public interest as it affects political decision-making. Most importantly, I was taught to consider all viewpoints, and to think logically, strategically, legally, and politically. Upon completion of the Internship, I felt prepared to take on any challenge that should arise, and indeed welcomed those challenges.

I have said before that the Internship Program is built upon a foundation of theory, practical experience, and personal relationships. Having now taken the step into municipal management, the importance of the foundation / learnings received during the Internship is even more evident. It was an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where an intern has the ability to see and touch everything. Therefore, my one bit of advice to individuals entering the internship would be to engage – endeavor to ask, question, investigate, interview, and to get involved. This will be key to your success within the program, and in fact, the opportunities for engagement are endless. Local government is so vast, so diverse, so challenging and fascinating, that you will discover a new interest every day.

The Municipal Internship is designed to guide the development of the future leaders of Municipal Government, and it instilled in me the knowledge and the passion required to find success in this exciting industry. I would recommend anyone to seize the opportunity.