Career Day!

One of our local Elementary/Middle Schools sent out a request to parents to come speak about what they do for a living at their annual Career Day. I love sharing what I do with people, so naturally I stepped up to talk about working for the city of Las Vegas and our Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

In preparation for the day, the school sent out a basic outline we could follow to prompt conversations. I created a presentation with about 10 slides and came prepared with some fun city swag my supervisor provided me. I handed out lip balm, noisemakers, pompoms and seed packets. I brought a city vehicle and some other items to see and talk about.

As I put together my presentation, I wanted to give them an idea of how our local government is constructed and the many departments, roles and responsibilities that provide endless opportunities for employment. I began by talking about how the city is laid out with multiple jurisdictions, so there was a big of a geography lesson in there. I also educated them about the roles our Mayor and City Council play in helping to make decisions that shape our city. I listed the different departments, and gave them a closer look at what our Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs provides for the community.

It was with such a great sense of gratitude and excitement that I got to speak about why I love working for the Special Events unit. I spoke about the hundreds of events that I've permitted for over the years and about the ones that I've been lucky to assist with. I feel fortunate that in permitting events, I get to help make other's big ideas come true. Whether it's a 5k fundraiser, a company/union/squadron picnic or a wedding, I help guide residents through the process. I also enjoy helping our city bring together community partners with shared interests and subject matter experts to share ideas and make impactful decisions. I get to help with fun cultural events that our team produces that bring together thousands of people at a time like the Book Festival, the Bluegrass Festival, the Helldorado Days Parade, the Dia de los Muertos Festival and more.

So when one student asked me what event meant the most to me, that was difficult for me to say... My favorite has come to be the Parks for Pollinators: BioBlitz, which I will likely talk about in another post. I did share with the students that the event is great because it is an event for everyone... kids and adults, nature enthusiasts and experts...everyone learns more about the biodiversity of our local environment at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. I also shared a story about one of my favorite charities - and their event - which is held at the park. It's one of my favorites, because it was one of the first permits I worked on. They wanted to have their event at a different (sports) park in 2021, but it was unavailable... so I convinced them to have it at another location that provided more open space and parking. One of the challenges was that they had outgrown their orignial location, so we had to find a place that was the right fit. They took our team's advice and have held their 5k Fundraiser at Floyd Lamb Park ever since. This event provides them the opportunity to raise over $100,000 for children with health issues and their families! So every year, I get to be a small part of making a difference by supporting our community in this way. Ultimately, for me.... no matter the event, it's simply about creating these wonderful moments that become cherished memories.

When I got to the education portion of the presentation, I encouraged them to look beyond just the degrees and professional associations. I pointed out that there is an 18 year gap between me getting my Bachelor's Degree and my Masters in Public Health. It wasn't until a few years ago that I joined the state and national professional associations in my field of study and started attending conferences. It wasn't until last year that I earned my CPRP - Certified Park and Recreation Professional accolade. To keep this certification, much like their teachers, I must keep getting CEUs (Continuing Education Units) by attending seminars and conferences... which, as a polymath, I really enjoy! I impressed upon them:

"Smart people never stop learning."

If you stop learning, you stop growing. I'm constantly challenging myself and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I really dislike public speaking. I am an introvert and some may say soft-spoken. I trip over my words sometimes and forget things I want to say in the moment. So when I know I have to present something, lead a team meeting, participate in anything, I try to be as prepared as possible. Honestly, part of me wanted to just be there to see my kiddos and their teachers. The biggest part of me wanted to share what I love about working for the city of Las Vegas and to inspire the students in hopes they may want to work for our department or come to our (free!) events. My main goal was to NOT embarrass my twins. However, what I didn't expect... and what I learned from the experience was that it was a good exercise to strengthen my public speaking skills.

If you ever get the chance to participate in Career Day or a Human Resource Fair, I encourage you to do so. Check with your supervisors first, prepare what you want to say in advance, bring swag... and be prepared to answer questions. I spoke to multiple audiences of 7th graders and had great audience participation. If you are a supervisor, please let your employees participate in these type of things. It's not only great for getting your brand image out there, but also informs students of your services. Plus, it allows your employees a new opportunity to grow.

This is what one the twins had to say about Career Day: