Rispah Kiptoo
City of Red Deer
“I believe that this experience has helped me become a more well-rounded individual, and has helped point me in a direction of where I would like to take my career.”
When I first began working as a municipal intern, I honestly was not sure what to expect, but like many new challenges that life presents, I grew more comfortable as time went on. My first placement was with the Public Works department, where I worked on revising a Snow and Ice removal manual. I then conducted research on how to improve the municipality’s community profile. I have also worked on an employee benefits project as well as the employee’s code of conduct with the personnel department. All of these projects I feel were very educational, informative, and essential for my learning experience.
Overall, I have found the Municipal Internship Program to be a very positive working experience; it has given me a broader perspective on different department within the municipality. I have been able to learn some of the different tasks and fundamentals of the various departments that I have been exposed to. Also, being exposed to these departments has helped me to realize how unique and vital they are, and how inter-dependant they are with one another. I believe that this experience has helped me become a more well-rounded individual, and has helped point me in a direction of where I would like to take my career. I would definitely recommend this program to others interested in participating. I found it helped incorporate the theory that I learned throughout my university years, and has opened my eyes to the roles and functions of municipal government.
June Wilson
Town of Millet
“I feel confident that I now have a strong base in understanding what it is to be involved in local government…”
When I started my internship, I was expecting a job that wouldn’t be too difficult. What I received was an experience that ignited my excitement for local government, and started me down a new career path towards management in a municipality. The program offered excellent experience in all aspects of a municipality, as well as opportunities to network with important delegates, visit provincial departments, and learn through hands-on practice, workshops and courses.
The people that I have met along this journey have inspired me, and I hope to keep in contact with them once this program is completed. The experience and knowledge I have gained during my internship will be immensely helpful in future employment. I feel confident that I now have a strong base in understanding what it is to be involved in local government, and have direction for me to continue learning and growing.
Jayne McPhee
City of Spruce Grove
“I quickly learned that local government is more than garbage pick-up and tax collecting.”
There is a very clear purpose to the Municipal Internship Program and that is to attract people into the field of municipal government and provide them with quality training. While the objective seems simple and the program framework is set, the internship is really what you make it. This program has given me opportunities I would not have imagined, ranging from riding along on emergency calls and discussing local government with a group of seven year olds to strategic planning and drafting bylaws. I quickly learned that local government is more than garbage pick-up and tax collecting. It affects people as intimately as a government can – at home. You are learning how to create and sustain a community; it is an opportunity that is as fulfilling as it is challenging. There is so much to learn and while the year seems to fly by, you can be sure that you are receiving a quality experience that is going to help you throughout your career in municipal government.
Brandy Cox
Beaver County
“It seemed to be a position that could offer a more practical perspective to my post-secondary education, which has been more theoretical in context.”
I have always been interested in local government. Local government is the level which is closest to the people and thus as an advocate of democracy, the actors both administrative and elected provide insight into the municipal process. The position of municipal intern was exciting for this reason. It seemed to be a position that could offer a more practical perspective to my post-secondary education, which has been more theoretical in context.
The internship was intimidating initially. Although I had seen the Workplan, it did not really have a lot of meaning to the position until I started my actual “job shadowing.” Thus far I have worked in the Public Works, Human Rights, Tax and Finance departments. I have had some exposure to agriculture and have worked extensively with our regional services commission. Overall, the experience has been very positive. I have learned many new things, met very interesting people within and outside my host municipality and have attained an overall picture of the very complex and dynamic organization of municipal government.
This program has helped me to determine my future career path, and I feel that it is a strong training tool for both future administrators and managers. I would strongly recommend this program to recent university graduates and I sincerely hope that Municipal Affairs & Housing continues to offer this program well into the future.
Amy Walsh
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
“Very few people in any organization get to see the complete operation, by department, as an intern does.”
The internship has been a very valuable and rewarding experience. As a recent university graduate, the program provided an excellent transition into the workforce and a good entry point into municipal government. The experience and exposure I have gained over the year has been diverse and comprehensive. Very few people in any organization get to see the complete operation, by department, as an intern does. From the Finance Department to the Fire Department, I’ve had the opportunity to work in them all.
Upon starting the internship I quickly realized I had a lot to learn about municipal government. However, as I near the end of the program I feel like I have a well-rounded knowledge and understanding of its workings. I hope to continue my career in municipal administration and think that the Municipal Internship Program was definitely the right place to start.
