Every Summer the City welcomes a handful of college students seeking real-world training to learn about their future careers.
This year Autumn Baucom stepped into the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department as a reserved, nervous, young woman grappling with bouts of imposter syndrome, and she left as a confident go-getter with unlimited potential.
In just 11 weeks, Baucom found herself coaching and scheduling the 5-year-old flag football league, organizing basketball events, lining soccer fields, creating marketing materials, and speaking with participants one-on-one.
“I would say I’m a self-starter. If I see something that needs to be done, I’ll do it. I have no problem doing anything from organizing the Winchester storage area to interacting with the public,” said Baucom.
Baucom has a long history of visiting Monroe’s parks, which is partially what drew her to the career field. She grew up in Monroe, attended Piedmont High School, and is graduating from Appalachian State University this month with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management with a concentration in Parks and Recreation.
She says her ultimate goal is to help people and give back to the community that’s given her so much. Her favorite part of the internship was interacting with parents and encouraging kids to achieve their dreams.
“I love working with the public. Everyone has a different story, and everyone’s so different and diverse that you learn something new from everyone you talk to,” said Baucom.
Her crowning achievement was organizing the 5-year-old flag football league and serving as an assistant coach.
“After every practice those kids would come up and hug me. Getting to see the impact you’re having on people really makes it worth it for me,” said Baucom.
Parks and Recreation staff were excited to see Baucom take to the position like a duck to water. They said she has a wonderful personality that makes her a perfect fit for the team. They also commend her drive and ambition to conquer new goals, and they admire her aptitude for innovation and creative problem solving.
“Autumn did an excellent job during her summer internship with our department. She showed a strong desire to learn and great maturity. Her efficiency and dedicated work ethic made her an outstanding asset to our team,” said Rae Moore, Monroe’s Athletic-Special Events Supervisor.
Baucom says she appreciated Rae’s leadership which included guidance, mentorship, graciousness and candor.
“I’ve gotten to do so many things here that I never thought I was going to get to do. Rae has given me so many opportunities to go far beyond my expectations,” said Baucom.
Monroe Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Jones said the department’s goal is to provide their interns with broad exposure to explore every aspect of parks and recreation.
“Many people think Parks and Recreation is just maintaining the parks and hosting athletic leagues,” Jones said. “It’s much more than that: it’s providing socialization opportunities for kids, incorporating cultural and career learning into programming, connecting communities through special events, and so much more!”
This summer was jam-packed for Parks and Recreation with the opening of the new Splash Pad at Belk Tonawanda Park and the grand opening of the Philip E. Bazemore Active Adult Center.
Jones said Baucom was fully engrossed in everything, and that she brought a new, unique perspective to their approach to programming and marketing.
“We were very lucky to have Autumn as an intern. She will be very successful in the parks and recreation field,” said Jones.
The Monroe Parks and Recreation Department provides and maintains nine main parks, six community centers which offer after-school programs and special events on a regular basis, several greenways, numerous athletics leagues, senior services and the Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center.
Parks and Recreation offers college students summer internship opportunities that provide a well-rounded learning experience in every aspect of parks, programs and facilities. The City of Monroe is proud to offer this essential experience for any student who desires a successful career in public service.
Baucom said teamwork, initiative, adaptability and confidence were the best qualities that helped her succeed in this internship.
When asked what her advice is for the next summer intern, Baucom said simply “talk to everyone, always listen and be friendly.”