National Park Service"National Parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst." - Wallace Stegner The National Park Service is charged with a dual purpose of preserving the ecological and historical integrity of the places entrusted to its management while providing the public the opportunity to use and experience those resources. Currently, there are 417 different National Park units and I spent my summer and fall interning at James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, OH. MY INTERNSHIP
My job title is Park Ranger (Interpretation), but I've helped out with maintenance and visitor center work as well. My primary job here is to give tours of the Garfield home which are 45 minute guided tours. However, there's always other work to do when you aren't giving tours like helping out at the front desk, greeting visitors, shuttling people around on the golf carts. As an intern, being flexible is key. Public speaking skills, knowledge of the basic Microsoft Office Suite, and ability to pass a government background check are all requirements for this position. Public speaking is an absolute necessity because you'll do it everyday. Microsoft Office is important because you will have to use a lot of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create products and documents. The background check is required so that you can operate the cash register as all funds collected are technically federal monies. |
The Important Information
Yes, this was a paid internship. I made $16.37 an hour with full federal health benefits, sick leave, paid leave, the whole nine yards. It was pretty much a job. Its called a Pathways Internship which meant that it isn't just a two month obligation so it worked out with this class being the last one I need to take to graduate. I've been here for five months and I'll be able to stay here another 120 days after my graduation date. During those 120 days, I'm allowed to apply to any other NPS jobs and as long as I'm qualified, I'm supposed to be able to non-competitively get that job. So it's a pretty good gig. On the flip side, there was no free or discounted lodging available, I wasn't paid to relocate so moving up here and getting settled cost a pretty penny, I didn't know a single person in the entire state of Ohio, but sometimes you have to make a leap to chase your dreams. I applied for this internship at USAJOBS and I'm already applying for full-time NPS positions on there as well.
To close out, I just want to share some really cool things I was able to be a part of while interning up here in Ohio. We've done two Naturalization Ceremonies since I've been here where we have a state level judge come and swear in brand new American citizens from all over the world. Those two events have for sure been my highlights of my time here because there is nothing more patriotic than becoming a brand new U.S. citizen on federal land at a beautiful National Park. I've also given special talks and presentations about Assassinated Presidents and Civil War generals, been a part of creating a new pop-up exhibit within our Visitor Center museum, and I've had the opportunity to meet so many interesting people who want to share their passion for history and culture with me as well. It has been the most rewarding five months of my life and I can honestly say that I love my job.
To close out, I just want to share some really cool things I was able to be a part of while interning up here in Ohio. We've done two Naturalization Ceremonies since I've been here where we have a state level judge come and swear in brand new American citizens from all over the world. Those two events have for sure been my highlights of my time here because there is nothing more patriotic than becoming a brand new U.S. citizen on federal land at a beautiful National Park. I've also given special talks and presentations about Assassinated Presidents and Civil War generals, been a part of creating a new pop-up exhibit within our Visitor Center museum, and I've had the opportunity to meet so many interesting people who want to share their passion for history and culture with me as well. It has been the most rewarding five months of my life and I can honestly say that I love my job.
"If hard work is not another name for talent, it is the best possible substitute for it." - James Abram Garfield, 20th President of the United States