An internship in public administration performed at City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Phoenix, Arizona, June 6, 1967 - August 15, 1967

Abstract

This Diary has been written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, with public recreation being the selected major field. The internship experience was done with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department from June 6, 1967 to August 18, 19&7. Orientation to the department’s organization structure was of primary importance during the first weeks of the program. This required obtaining a degree of familiarity with all aspects of the department's operations, and a general knowledge of the personnel relations within the structure. Specific knowledge pertaining to recreation skills and training was used while participating in a special project assigned by the department. Also, in working with highly qualified staff personnel, this project afforded an opportunity to acquire many new recreation skills. Keeping a daily accounting of time during the internship permitted the inclusion of many significant experiences which might otherwise have been omitted. Finally, an integration, of the theory and practices experienced during formal education with those of actual practice must be completed to result in a full realization of the total educational experience.