Intern experience at the Center for Urban Programs: an internship report

Abstract

This report discusses the author's internship at Texas A&M University Center for Urban Programs from May, 1978 through February, 1979. The objectives of the internship were to: 1. Increase the intern's technical competence in problems facing local governments; 2. Improve the administration of the Center for Urban Programs so that the Center can more effectively serve Texas local governments; and 3. Gain insight into the decision making process of local governments by active participation. The intern's responsibilities included work on Center staff-directed research projects, Center-coordinated research projects, and Center administration. The intern's major project responsibilities included directing the Community Energy Conservation project of the Texas Energy Extension Service, developing a street maintenance priority ranking system for the City of Denton, serving as University Coordinator for the Garland Urban Observatory and devising a Budget Forecasting System for the Center. To accomplish the third objective, the author served on the College Station Parks and Recreation Board during the internship. In evaluating the internship, the intern found that it fulfilled all the objectives set forth by the intern, his internship supervisor, and his academic committee chairman. The intern increased his technical competence in solving problems facing local governments. He effectively handled administrative responsibilities at the Center and he participated in the decision making process of a local government. The intern also developed personal contacts with local, state, and federal government officials.