Learning Reflections Round # 2: Sept. 9 - Sept. 22

Overall, this last few days have been very productive for me as an intern. In addition, I am getting more comfortable with the marketing staff members, which is not difficult to accomplish since everyone is super helpful and enthusiastic that I will be spending the next few weeks there. I am pleased that I get to learn and to have fun at the same time, which makes it for a great internship experience. 

Regarding my learning objectives: I had the opportunity to work on the Flickr account of the park district, and to promote the upcoming events and programs during an event organized by the city of Aurora. And here comes the detailed explanations of my learning adventures for the last couple of weeks:       

Social media communication

image is from greenangelenergy.ca

One of my internship's learning objectives is to widen my social media experience. Most of us are familiar with Facebook and Twitter, so when my internship supervisor, Jeff Long, public relations manager at the park district, gave me the fun task to update the Flickr account, I was excited.
                                                                                                                                                This last few days, I had the opportunity to view the beautiful photos capturing the park district's special events and to upload them for the viewing pleasure of the people who browse the website for information. 

And boy, the number of those who rely on the website for learning what is going on at the park district, is really high: the website, containing more than 1,700 pages, receives no less than 50,000 hits per month.

Needles to say, I am so proud to be contributing to the marketing department by updating their Flickr account!
There are close to 5,000 photos in there right now. Not bad for starting from only 75. And with all those fun programs and special events scheduled for the next few weeks, I am sure I will have plenty of photos to choose from and to add to the website.

And the photos are gorgeous! Take a look of them by visiting the website and clicking on the Flickr icon! 

Expanding my social media knowledge - mission accomplished!


Promoting the FVPD programs and events directly to the public
What a fun activity this turned to be!
With my partner in crime, Marisela Soto, who is also an Aurora University student and an employee of the park district, I had the responsibility to set a marketing table with flyers, brochures, pencils, bracelets and other fun stuff to promote the current programs of the park district during the Roots Aurora event that happened on Sept. 7 at the new RiverEdge Park in Aurora.

Promoting the park district's services and programs during this event covered another of my learning objectives: marketing via public appearance. Being able to talk to people and to directly answer their question about future events proved to be an effective marketing tool. People's opinion counts; you bring awareness about the organization you are involved with, and if there are any negative remarks- you take a note and improve your services.

And here is the little video I took that demonstrates what we do during such events. The music you will hear is from a local Indian artist:

Next time, I will bring a better camera to shoot similar events, since the quality of my phone's camera, obviously, is not that great, but at least I learned how to upload videos on my YouTube account and then to share them on Blogger. Another step toward being more comfortable with online marketing and social media.

In addition, I took several photos during the Root Aurora event that visually summarize my work as a marketing intern:

The marketing table is all set, and I am ready to welcome the people and to introduce them to the newest services of the park district

Stocking up on bracelets with the Fox Valley Park District's logo

I am wearing my black-and-green shirt promoting the Sept. 21 Zombie Event that is full of fun promises

This is Marisela explaining how fun it is to be a Fox Valley Park District member

A local artist poses by our table

This young gentleman signs to receive information about the programs via email

Learning Reflection Round # 1: Aug. 26 - Sept. 8

The importance of team work

My first week at the Fox Valley Park District came slow (I could not wait to start!) and went fast as I had the chance to witness from a firsthand the dynamic atmosphere at the busy marketing department. I learned that everyone there contributes to the success of the park district’s activities and programs in one way or another. The print guide, the brochures, the social media efforts – all is carefully created, examined and edited from at least two people with the idea to prevent crisis communication. And when this happens, it is all about team work again: everyone pitches in to offer ideas for future improvement.

Constant Contact as a form of Email Marketing

The Fox Valley Park District uses Constant Contact for email marketing. According to people’s interest staff members email all sorts of information to the appropriate contact list.

I had the opportunity to explore this email boosting software and as I am getting more comfortable with using it, I am sure that my experience with Constant Contact will benefit me in my professional future.

Surveys as a form of research
The FVPD uses surveymonkey.com to analyze its audience, or simply put, to learn what people think about the programs, services, and facilities.

For me, it was interesting to explore  and to learn about the different surveys the park district offers to the public. The opinion of the public matters, and the park district is on the right track to rely on the answers provided by the community.

Many times, people will write passionate comments and- understandably- will leave their names out, but after seeing these comments from a first hand, I completely agree with Fraser P. Seitel who writes in The Practice of Public Relations that "Every public relations program or solution should begin with research. Most don't, which is a shame".

The FVPD- without a doubt- takes its public seriously, and by surveying it provides an opportunity for two-way communication.

Special Events and more
Every month, the park district offers an enormous amount of interactive programs, but the ones that costumers prefer the most, are the special events. By surfing the web page, people can find detailed information on what is going on at all of the park district’s locations and facilities. It is essential then for staff members to constantly update the calendar with the needed information – description of the event, fee, and age of participants.

My first independent task as an intern was updating the website’s calendar with information about the upcoming special events for the months of September and October. By doing this, I learned about the diverse events offered by the park district, and even made arrangements with friends to anticipate in the Fall Harvest.

In addition, I had the opportunity to surf the park district's website from the inside out instead of the other way around as a costumer.

A Little Info About the Fox Valley Park District

More than 60 years ago, the Fox River was a dumping ground for the manufacturing plants that operated in Aurora. Keeping the river clean to be a source of recreation for Fox Valley residents was the community’s goal that could be accomplished by the creation of a park district. As a result, the Fox Valley Park District was born.

image is from foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

                                                                     

Originally founded in 1947, today the Fox Valley Park District is the second largest park district in Illinois, serving a diverse population of more than 230,000 that includes the communities of Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery, and portions of Sugar Grove. The district’s facilities are located in Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will counties.

image is from www.lasr.net 

                                

Located 40 miles west of Chicago, the Fox Valley Park District provides people of all ages and cultures with leisure indoor and outdoor opportunities. The district owns and maintains 2,400 acres of open space, 22 miles of river shoreline, 159 parks, 54 baseball fields, 36 soccer fields and 44 miles of trails. The district’s three main facilities (Eola and Prisco community centers and the Vaughan Athletic Center) hold a combined 500,000 square feet of indoor recreation space.

In 2009, the Fox Valley Park District received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, which is the country’s most prestigious honor in the park and recreation industry.

image is from foxvalleyparkdistrict.org                     

Six Learning Objectives and 16 Weeks to Accomplish Them

                                         image is from myjoboption.com

The main purpose of internships is to expose students to a professional atmosphere outside the classroom. But if you are an adult student, most likely you already have some experience under your belt. Understandably, the Adult Degree Completion program at Aurora University does not require of students to complete an internship during their studies. And since I am an adult student, I could have taken a class instead and be over with school in no time…

In reality, many of us, adult students, make the decision to intern in an organization they respect and think will give them the tools to improve their professional knowledge and skills.

Why did I decide to intern at the Fox Valley Park District? Stay tuned; the answer will come in my next post. So, first thing first: here are the six learning objectives I expect to fulfill during my internship:

Learning Objective # 1: Improve my communication interpersonal skills -

Potential employers are known to look for one thing in your resume: excellent communication skills. Unfortunately, not all of us are born great communicators. During my 16 weeks at the marketing/communication department of the park district, I am hoping to have a taste of what it is to be a pro when it comes to productive written, verbal and nonverbal communication.

Learning Objective # 2: Expand my professional network -

Creating new professional contacts is always a good thing. Interns often gain career awareness and rely on the newly formed professional relationships to find future jobs. One word comes to mind- referral, and with it- the pressure to give my best, to make a positive impression and to contribute to the company as well.

Learning Objective # 3: Improve my written communication skills -

During my internship, I will have the opportunity to develop my writing ability, especially when it comes to following the accepted Associated Press Style. Hopefully, I will have the chance to work on a press release or two…For right now, I enjoy the park district’s press releases, articles and news stories, craftfully written by Jeff Long, public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District, and learn as I read.

Learning Objective # 4: Expand my social and digital media knowledge -

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, you name it – the world is falling fast under the spell of social media, and it is clear that if I want a career in marketing I have to follow the rules of this widely popular form of communication. The Fox Valley Park District, of course, has taken on the challenge to keep up with 11 currently operating Facebook pages. Surely, I will have the chance to improve my personal Facebook knowledge by contributing to the park district’s social media efforts.

Learning objective # 5: Improve my research skills-

In order to finish a work project as quick as possible, we often skip the little step, called research. This 16 weeks will be my time to indulge in doing the research needed to accomplish things the right way. Email marketing, social media, website, articles in the print media, competitive organizations of the Fox Valley Park District – those are some of the "bullets points" on my internship list to explore and learn.

Learning objective # 6: Develop special events planning experience -

I love, love spending time with people. I always manage to learn something from them (sometimes, it goes the other way around). Probably this is the thing I am the most excited about when it comes to my internship: I will be able to participate in the planning and marketing of various special events, and in joining the crowds as they take part in the fun activities offered to them by the park district, such as the upcoming Zombie Invasion 5K Run.

                                          image is from  www.examiner.com