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'Be prepared to have fun, jump right in, work hard, make wonderful friendships, and keep learning!'
Employer: Oak Brook Park District Position: Executive Administrative Assistant Educational Background: My education was focused on business operations and management. I am a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Prior to working in my current position at the Oak Brook Park District, I held management positions in a non-profit organization and a for-profit business. Seeing business from these two different perspectives has been immensely helpful in parks and recreation. We operate for the benefit of our community, similar to a non-profit cause, but need to be financially responsive as a for-profit business. How long a member of IPRA? Thirteen lucky years! IPRA membership has been a wonderful influence in my career in parks and recreation by providing educational and networking opportunities. I always look forward to attending conference because the sessions address what is currently of concern to park districts. I find this amazing and thank IPRA staff and committees for foreseeing the issues and seeking solutions to share at conference. Best thing about working in the field of parks and recreation is that it is a lot of fun! It is a lot of hard work too, which provides the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. In my opinion, the biggest issue facing parks and recreation is anything that divides us, for together we are strong and can find solutions to address problems. This is true whether addressing issues that affect our communities, agencies or as departments in the agency where we are now employed. We are stronger when we work well with each other. What advice would I give a recent graduate? Be prepared to have fun, jump right in, work hard, make wonderful friendships, and keep learning! A little known fact about me: I love to make pizzas, but now I am trying to learn how to make them gluten free! I like to also bike, sew, craft, garden organically, and explore. I also love tech stuff. My path in Parks and Recreation started because I am a mom! After the birth of my daughter and son, I wanted to find employment that would enable me to use my work skills on a part-time basis. I also wanted my employment to add fun and educational opportunities for my children. I found the job advertisement for the administrative assistant to the director of the Oak Brook Park District in the part time classifieds. I was hired and have been hooked ever since! The Oak Brook Park District has been a huge blessing in my children’s lives as well. They attended summer camps, swim lessons, and have made wonderful friendships that still go on today. My favorite park and recreation program I have been a part of is the Oak Brook Park District’s Haunted Forest. I feel fortunate to be the "story telling witch" where I dress up in witch costume, stand near a cauldron of "fog-juice" bubbles, and read stories to the kids for two nights in October! It’s my opportunity to help the kids learn to love reading, as I had learned from my elementary school librarian. I also enjoy helping with the park district’s other special events and personally enjoy the noon fitness classes, especially Zumba! Who do you admire, and why? I admire many different people for different reasons. It’s usually the everyday people who are working hard for their families. I appreciate all the executive directors and staff that I had, and continue to have the privilege of working with in the parks and recreation field. I have learned so much from them. On the top of my list are my mom and dad who taught their children to love the outdoors, as our family vacationed in many state and national parks. |
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