GVSU Rec Center Intern
Matthew
Experience Information
Employer: GVSU Rec Center
Job Title: Intern/Staff
Major: Sport Management
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The Grand Valley recreation center provides students, faculty, and the public with a 50,000sqft facility that includes free weights, cardio equipment, a full size pool, four basketball courts, racquetball courts, a spin room, and health and wellness planning. There are over 100 student employees that work for this organization that will complete a 44,000sqft add-on by the end of the summer of 2016.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
As a staff member/intern my main non-project based assignment is to keep the environment friendly. We stress customer service with the best of them. I find this so important as I flip the page to the next chapter of my life. The project-based assignment I am in charge of is research how to have great employee retention. The rec center has struggled over the years retaining their employees. I communicate with other universities around the country and our area to see if they have answers.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Communication is the most important skill I have improved at. No matter what career path I take, and no matter what job I land, I will need to be able to communicate throughout the entire process. Interviewing, being confident enough to talk to my boss, and being able to talk to my colleagues about projects involving work all require good communication skills (verbal and nonverbal).
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this internship was interacting with all of the rec users. I love making people's days by greeting them and talking them through how to use the equipment. I've had a lot of elderly public users ask questions about the equipment and what they can do to be healthier. It brings me great joy.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It has given me the confidence to go into my interviews knowing that I can be myself and show my employer who I am by communicating in a confident way. I have also met a ton of people who have already given me permission to use them as a reference. Networking through the GVSU rec has definitely been successful.