I had first heard of the Municipal Internship in my third year of University; a friend had gone through the program.  She had said it was a great experience and that she would recommend it to anyone. I had forgotten about her encouragement of the program until, in my fourth year, at one of the career fairs I was surprised to see another one of my friends at the Municipal Internship booth; he was telling about his experiences in the program and trying to gather further interest by the student body.  His enthusiasm and honesty about the program really got me interested.  I researched the program online, and decided it would be an experience I couldn’t pass up. 

            When first entering the program, I was unsure of what to think; I had never worked in local government before, let alone an office!  I was unsure what the daily work would be, how the people would work together, and was unsure of the responsibilities that would be afforded to me.  Within my first week all these obscurities would be answered for me, and I would be quite impressed and exited about the answers.  For anyone who thinks an internship entails meaningless work, they are proven wrong by this program.  I have worked on projects that range from: Risk Assessment, Business Continuity Planning, Re-Visiting the Economic Development Strategy, Creating a Joint Economic Development Study Area, gathering information on roadway specifications in the region to formulate a standardized plan for roadway creation and maintenance, being an active member of the Health and Safety Committee, and helping with various Area Structure Plans in the area, just to name a few!  There is also the daily work associated with municipalities which can involve Council and all of senior administration.  Further to that, there has been regular work/updating done to the budget and helping with tax and assessment in site visits.

            This program allowed me to have insights into local government that one can only get from working in it.  Also the time allotted for me to experience every department in the municipality has allowed me to have a broader and ‘larger picture’ view of municipalities and how they function. This program has been an asset to my career in that it has afforded me as many exposures to different facets of municipalities that would otherwise not be available. 

            My contract with Red Deer County was for a year, time has flown by, and it feels like I have just begun.  Everyday in Municipal Government is entirely different than the previous one, people who like problem solving, multi tasking, and demanding yet rewarding work are surely a good candidate for a career in this sector.  I have enjoyed my time here more than I ever thought would be possible, it is truly a challenging, rewarding and fun sector to work within, anyone with an interest should apply to this program in not just for some of the experiences that would be afforded to them.   

I have always had an interest to contribute to society in a meaningful way.  I believe that working as a public administrator is an important role, and I am proud that I have had the opportunity to work in a profession that I hold a great deal of respect for.  The Municipal Internship made it possible for me to enter into this field, and has opened a world of opportunities.  Moreover, the Town of Stony Plain embraced the internship program and fostered my passion to cultivate sustainable communities.

Interestingly, one of the most enlightening experiences I had was presenting to a Grade 6 class on how government works.  I was tasked with the mission to present a topic that most children find arduous and dull.  How was I to engage these students to learn about a subject most adults take for granted? 

I decided to pose one question for them:  What kind of world do you want to live in?  The answers I received were bright, enlightened, and filled with the foresight of a better world.  I want to live in a world these children described; a world where people are taken care of, a world filled with fun, a world that is safe; and a world that looks to the future.

This internship has given me the opportunity to create this world—even if it is minute in its reach.  While my focus throughout the year was in sustainable development encompassing social equity, economic viability, cultural vitality, and environmental stewardship, I also experienced everything including driving a street sweeper, spearheading projects, and dressing up in various costumes for our staff meetings!  The extraordinary experiences I have had will be invaluable as I continue my career in public administration.  The world is what we make of it, and I hope to always be part of that process.

Was this one of the biggest learning experiences for me professionally and personally? For sure. Beyond learning how government works and doing all the cool projects, there is so much more to this internship. All of the past interns will rave to you about the quality of this program and how much they got out of it, and we all mean it.

This was my first year out in the real world after university and I don’t think I could have learned more. The town gave me projects that allowed me to prove to them and myself that I am perfectly capable and have the drive to be successful in the world. Working with the Senior Management Team allowed me to develop my professionalism and look at leadership skills in a practical sense. Working with the other interns gave me friendships and a network that I’ll keep around for years to come. The association conferences that I was encouraged to attend let me have contact with people who had been in the industry for a long time.

Municipal Affairs and Housing has set up a program that I have loved to complete and wouldn’t exchange for anything.  Municipal Government is a great field and I recommend it to anyone who isn’t afraid of a challenge and wants to make a difference in a community.

The Municipal Internship Program has provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime. Developing skills across the areas of Municipal Government, working with senior administrators and the CAO, and building relationships with the Mayor and Council has positioned me for a future administrative career, undoubtedly filled with success. Already I have been able to move into a new role as a municipal administrator where I am able to apply my experience everyday.

Throughout my time in Olds, the Town administration, Council, and citizens welcomed my input and celebrated my perspective. Their support and inclusion support enabled my ability to focus on continuous improvement and has brought my understanding of Municipal government to a new level. My adventure as a Municipal Intern, allowed me to spend an entire year dedicated solely to the purpose of learning the municipal sector. Rarely in any career with the busy pace of work does the opportunity arise for anyone to dedicate so much time to learning. The Municipal Internship Program fosters learning and demands excellence, all the while reminding us of the importance of applying the same standards to our personal lives. One of my senior administrators said it best: “It took me 20 years in the business to take the time to learn what you have been able to learn in 6 months.”

The Municipal Internship Program not only helped me fulfill my dream of working in Municipal Government, it also helped me to rapidly develop the skills I need for leading an organization. I now am well equipped to make a meaningful contribution to any organization and have the tools I need to apply the principles of continuous learning for the rest of my career. Being selected as a Municipal Intern for the 2006-2007 term has been the most pivotal point in my entire career.   

Having been in the Alberta Municipal Internship Program is one of the milestones in my life.  The interesting and informative intern sessions, intern gathering fun parties, and the Gull Lake resort camping in the pouring rain with other interns are something I will never forget. 

The program not only provided me with great networking opportunities with people from all levels of provincial and municipal governments, but also laid a solid foundation for me to succeed in my career. I would not have thought of working as an accountant in a local government if I have not been a part of this Internship Program.

I strongly recommend this excellent Internship Program to the new graduates, you might find what you have been dreaming about when you are at school. In addition, the program further develops your leadership skills, and applies what you have learned during your years of study at universities to the real life situation.  With all of these, you will achieve your career goal and make our community a better place to live.

I was first introduced to the Municipal Internship through an ad placed in the local newspaper in my hometown.  At first I was intimidated, mostly because my education is in Agriculture/Food Business Management, but after some research I decided to apply.  I felt that as my education focused on agricultural business and strategic management along with rural economics, placement in a rural municipality would be best for me. 

I have always been aware of my desire to work with the public; therefore I chose to participate in the program. This internship was an excellent opportunity for me to obtain comprehensive training in municipal work which will help me pursue a career in municipal administration.  The opportunity to spend time within every municipal department allowed me to gain an understanding of municipal inner workings.  It is thought that if the intern is able to develop an appreciation for all aspects of local government, such as public works, planning and development, protective services, finance, utilities, they will be equipped to become municipal managers in the future.      

I must admit that this experience has been very overwhelming; however, it has been the most empowering and enjoyable learning experience that I have ever had.  I spent the first few months of my internship working with Council.  I had the opportunity to attend regular council meetings along with committee of council meetings.  Attending these meetings has exposed me to a number of topic areas as the services provided by municipalities are immense. 

Throughout my internship I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects.  Some examples of these tasks that I worked on are; an assortment of administrative reports to council, preparation of agendas and meeting minutes, the regional emergency response plan, township/range road numbering, and many, many more.   I also became a regular participant in the employee Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings.  During the last portion of my internship I started working with the Planning and Development department, where I learnt about development permits, safety codes, and the subdivision process and bylaw amendments. 

I have also been able to attend a number of conferences which has allowed me to meet with other municipal professionals.  Networking with others has opened my eyes to the opportunities that I can embrace. 

During my first few months as an intern I was asked what I found most interesting or surprising about the County of Athabasca.  And still, I must admit, I am in awe of the scope and scale of services the County provides.  In fact, I took it upon myself to become an ambassador for the County of Athabasca explaining our role in the community to my peers.  

As I entered the program I made sure to keep an open mind to the opportunities in front of me.  I made sure to take advantage of all opportunities presented to me, while making sure to ask an abundance of questions. 

I would recommend this internship to anybody.  This experience is unique in that everyday is a bit different.  I have developed the ability to work in an administrative setting and have gained the confidence in my ability to contribute my skills.  I really enjoy the opportunity to experience municipal government in a learning environment.  I take pride in the fact that I am participating in a career that improves the quality of life for the residents.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for the community that has contributed to by success.

A year ago, when I applied for the Municipal Internship Program I had a vague idea of how municipal government worked.  One of my friends from university—who works as a municipal planner— suggested I apply for the program as she thought my personality and skill set would be an excellent fit for the internship.  Since I was nearing the end of my Master’s program, I decided I would apply.   I was fortunate enough to become the intern in my hometown of Airdrie.

My year as an intern was one of the biggest learning opportunities of my life thus far. I had the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while giving back to my home community. Being an intern gave me the opportunity to work with every staff member in the municipality from the receptionist to the City Manager and everyone in between.  It was an incredible opportunity to have access to every aspect of municipal life by spending time in every department, attending council meetings, participating on the Corporate Planning Team, and working on organizational projects ranging from disaster planning to writing bylaws.  

As an intern you have unfettered access to both elected officials and senior management and I was embraced by both groups.  One of the best opportunities that came from this experience was attending numerous conferences, seminars and networking sessions.  I also had the opportunity to take the courses and training sessions that I wanted which allowed me to explore many of my interests.

Airdrie is an amazing medium-sized city that gave me the opportunity to have a number of mentors and to work with staff members in numerous fields with a variety of skill sets and experiences.  I learned a great deal about the relationship between urban and rural municipalities by visiting several interns throughout the year to share learnings and to experience their municipalities.

Being an intern has been an amazing experience that I would not trade for the world.  I learned a lot and met a lot of great people both at my municipality and around the province.  The internship is great for anyone who is a self starter and who likes a dynamic work environment.  I would encourage anyone with even a fleeting interest in municipal government to apply. 

Upon nearing graduation from University I had no idea of what my next step would be, then a professor told me about the Municipal Internship Program and I decided to pursue the opportunity, this was a decision I do not regret! My previous experience in local government had increased my desire to gain a better understanding of municipalities and how they function. The Internship Program was a chance to learn not only about the municipalities I was working with, but the Province of Alberta as a whole. I would not exchange this experience for anything in the world; the program allowed me the opportunity to work in a constantly changing environment participating in a wide range of activities, to meet new and interesting people, to travel around Alberta and to gain valuable life skills that I can apply to any future career.

Moving from another Province to be part of the Municipal Internship Program was not easy but I was welcomed by the 14 other interns across the Province with open arms. I formed meaningful friendships with many of these interns, whom I will continue to keep in touch with throughout my life and as my career progresses. Each intern’s unique qualities and experiences brought something special to our year in the program. Municipal Affairs and Housing provided many opportunities for us to meet and learn from each other, and this was the most valuable part of the program for me.  

My internship was a joint internship with an urban and a rural municipality, which allowed me to observe the similarities, differences and relationship between the two on a day-to-day basis.  For an individual planning to work in an Alberta municipality this continuous learning would be extremely beneficial. With a current emphasis being placed on intermunicipal partnerships, the importance of municipalities understanding each others perspectives is crucial.

Employees of both the Town of High River and the M.D. of Foothills provided me with the support needed to be successful throughout the program. My biggest reward was that I successfully gained the trust of both staff and Council.  The relationships formed at my place of work partnered with the large number of qualified and knowledgeable individuals I was able to meet at conferences has provided me with a large network of people to help me succeed in my future career.

Overall, the Municipal Internship Program taught me not only about local government, it taught me so much about myself, both personally and professionally.  

The Municipal Internship Program has been an extremely valuable experience that is undoubtedly the most effective way to enter the field of municipal administration.  In addition to being provided the opportunity to gain exposure to all aspects of local government, interns are part of a very distinct group of intern alumni recognized throughout Alberta as having received invaluable experience. 

Interns are in the enviable position of working alongside all members of the organization, from the executive to the front-line staff.  Having spent time in all departments of my municipality, I have increased my knowledge of municipal operations.  By doing so, I have refined my career goals and developed the ability to identify my most desirable job characteristics.  I have established a preliminary sense of my own management style and gained insight into the management issues of an organization experience significant change. 

The internship allows participants to grow not only as administrators, but also as public servants, colleagues and leaders.  By being afforded the opportunity to attend courses, workshops, conference and seminars, I have established a solid network of contacts and peers across the province while gaining insight into the issues facing local governments. 

The province-wide recognition of this program, the exposure to municipal operations and the network of contacts leave a wide open door into an exciting career.  It is a privilege to have spent the past year learning about my new career, thanks to the significant investment and support from Municipal Affairs and Housing and my host municipality. 

The range of experiences has been endless: an all-night fire call, being down a 20-foot hole, driving a zamboni, organizing a fitness challenge… This internship has been a great step toward a career in local government administration. I truly value this experience for both the personal and professional growth it has inspired. The operations of a municipality are multifaceted and diverse and I appreciate the talented array of people who run our municipalities every day.

At the end of university I had no idea about what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” I knew I wanted a job that really mattered, where I could contribute to my community every day. A career in local government certainly gives you many opportunities to positively impact your community in a very real and direct way. You are sure to find something that intrigues you, because the field of municipal government is as interesting as it is diverse.  Besides, where else can you get paid to learn and have fun?

My experience in the Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing Internship Program has given me the opportunity to work with employees at all levels and in all departments of a municipal organization.  I believe this has given me unique insight into the management of a local government organization. My internship has helped me not only to develop the broad base of skills necessary for this profession; it has also allowed me to discover what areas of the diverse municipal government world I truly enjoy.

I fully endorse the Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing Internship program and recommend it as a tremendous foot-in-door for a great career.  Like many soon-to-be graduating management students, I thought to myself, “Yay, I’m qualified to manage!  Hmmm . . . what should I manage!?!”  The nature of the internship program is that one is essentially paid to learn the municipal administration field – from the sewer dig to the council planning retreat; and many places in between.        

During the past 12 months, I’ve learned municipal administration is a dynamic field where few days are ever quite the same.  As an intern, I’ve completed a variety of useful projects in each of the municipal departments.  As a marketer, I’ve enjoyed creating website content, preparing brochures for various initiatives, and taking a leading role in the development of a tourism marketing plan.  I’ve written bylaws and policies, organized the debenture of funds, and ratified the development permit process for the town.  Each of these activities and many more called upon the cross-section of skills learned from my management studies.  In addition to projects, there is plenty of fun, to boot. 

The series of conferences and workshops I attended were beneficial on many fronts.  While the training varies in quality, the networking opportunities are outstanding; and greatly aids in the pursuit of post-internship employment.  Many of the conference locations are also a bonus (ie. it’s not often that one gets to enjoy four days amid the striking mountains of Kananaskis).           

Getting in the field of municipal administration now presents many opportunities for solid senior level employment opportunities all over the province.  While education may qualify one to generally manage, the internship program introduces candidates to this industry, further qualifies them for a career; and ultimately provides an answer to the oft-contemplated question, “What should I manage!?!”  

If you are looking for the kind of internship that is geared toward a single career option, affords you a minimum of responsibility and involvement, that's okay, but this internship is not for you. This year is about challenge. As an intern with this program you are expected to balance multiple priorities and constantly adapt to changing professional environments. With exposure to every department in a municipality, you will directly experience the organizational, financial and political realities that a municipality deals with on a daily basis. In the end, you will see the results of your work and have a better understanding of what you can bring to the management table.

Recognized by Alberta's prestigious Premier's Award of Excellence, this program has been introducing capable and enthusiastic university graduates to municipal government for many years. Connecting energetic people with a rich climate of opportunity has limitless potential. Past interns are now the senior managers of today and today's interns have taken on management roles in corporate planning, human resources, finance and accounting, development, disaster services, sustainability coordination, communications and economic development.

I am grateful for the privilege and I look forward to meeting the next to take the challenge.

I first heard about the municipal internship program through a friend that had graduated from my university program a couple of years before I did.  She had great things to say about the program, and convinced me that it was the right way for me to gain some valuable career experience after University.  As I look back on my year as an intern, I realize that enrolling in the Municipal Internship Program is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

The program gives interns such an amazing opportunity to get to know all aspects of municipal government – finance, planning, public works, human resources, you name it.  Interns get the chance to make presentations to council, attend management meetings, and create a really great network at a number of conferences. The end result is a complete view of what a municipal organization does, which is an opportunity that very few municipal employees ever get. 

The internship is a fantastic opportunity that really gives your career a boost when coming into the field straight out of University.  On the one hand, you are given key roles in projects that have real meaning to your organization; on the other hand, everyone is aware of the fact that you are still learning the ins and outs of the organization.  The municipal internship program has been a fantastic stepping stone into an exiting career in municipal administration. I highly recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a challenging, rewarding, and fun way to help build their career and their community.

The Municipal Internship Program provides tremendous benefits to the intern both professionally and academically.  It is an excellent way to get into the field of municipal management.  It gives you valuable experience, puts you into contact with potential employers and lets you discover in what facet of municipal administration your interests lay.