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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Eagan sees benefits of administrative intern program - 2/11/1985City sees benefits of administrative program By CHRISTY De TOY At minimal cr ist, the city of Eagan is reapinf the rewards of the city admini ,trative intern- ship program, a( cording to City Administrator Tc m Hedges. For $6 per horn r with no bene- fits, the city err ploys a person with a master's degree or a can- didate for a master's degree in city administrat: on or an urban studies -type prop ram. The intern is employed for s x months to one year. Hedges noted that an ad- ministrative a: sistant, which would carry ou , many of the same duties, w Auld require a salary of at least 630,000 per year. "The city gets equal (benefit) or more than the students," Hedges said. Hedges, who v as an intern in Vermillion, S.D., said he was ap- preciative of the opportunity he had, and it gav(i him the confi- dence necessary to carry out ad- ministrative rest onsibilities. His internship led to an assis- tant administra tor position in Vermillion. Twe] ve years ago he Landed a job with the city of St. Peter. While ser ring his admini- strative position, he took on an in- tern and brought the program with him when 1 e came to work for Eagan almost eight years ago. Although Hedf es said he is no pioneer in foundi rag the program, he said he could le thought of as a pioneer -sort in a r!ceptance of the program. "Other cities program more, t of any that have months on a rot said. • "I don't think is been as well - received as it sh tuld have. The interns it Eagan usually start in January and July, and so the city gets a " resh start" with an intern about a very six months, Hedges said. The city recently took on Jon Hoenstein, who is at- tending Mankato State Universi- ty. "We look for a good self- starter with the skills ar d abilities to per- form. We look f )r someone who has built skills ,'nd done well in the classroom -- a top student," Hedges said. "I'm out of thy, office a lot and don't have timt to give hourly direction to an . ntern. The pro- gram is more c f an experience than training grounds. (The in- terns) are almot t ready to go out into the market, ' he said. Some of the intern's respon- sibilities inch de conducting surveys, working with personnel and budget improvements, writing reports and, in general, aiding the admix iistrator. Hoenstein wil be working on conducting a special census, Hedges said. Th i aid that the city receives from d fferent agencies is based on the host recent cen- sus, and Eagan has grown con- siderably since 1980. A 1985 cen- sus could rest; It in increased revenue in aids or Eagan. "I find an intern is really help- ful for the city c f Eagan. My job is performed r tore thoroughly with an intern. You could drive yourself crazy t ying to organize all that has to b done. "My days are ;o unpredictable. I can get any wl ere from 10 to 30 phone calls a d; y that last from two to 20 minut s apiece. I have so much intern ption. If I didn't have an intern I would have to have an assist int. There's no question that m: job is done more thoroughly an 1 expeditiously with an intern,' Hedges said. He said that he interns have done quality w rrk for the city. "These people are so excited, gung ho and e ger to perform. are trying the ut I'm not aware an intern for six sting basis," he They really want to perform well." When the interns leave Eagan, Hedges said he is confident that they've had exposure to all facets of city administration and are prepared to handle the job. "It's a super experience," he said. Although the internship pro- gram was first received with "mixed emotions," the city coun- cil is really "high" on the pro- gram and has seen the benefits, Hedges said. "I really enjoy the intern pro- gram. I think they help this office perform so much more than we could do without them." The internship program in city administration has worked out so well that internships have been branching out to other depart- ments, he said. Other depart- ments that have interns or are budgeted to receive interns this year are the public works, plann- ing, and parks and recreation. "The police department also employs cadets to help the of- ficers and get to know the city. The cadet program often leads to full -time employment with the Eagan Police Department. 10A FEBRUAR 11, 1985 THISWEEK CITY ADMINISTRATOR Tom Hedges coaches intern Jon Hoenstein. Cabin Fever ? It's Still Not Too Late To Take the Cure NEW JUNIOR NIGH TEEN CENTER The Teen Center meets every Saturday night from 7:30 -11 pm starting February 9 and running through June 1 (closed April 6). The Teen Center site will alternate between Metcalf Junior High and Nicollet Junior High with the first event happening at Met- calf. Live band events will be held at Cedar School (Diffley and Nicols Road). FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN Activity time for 2 year olds Exploring Science Together (Ages -2 -5) Cooking with Kids (Ages 2 -5) PARENTINGIFAMILY LIFE EDUCATION Budding Self Esteem Handling Anger Within the Family Discipline A Developmental Approach Single Parenting -A Growth Experience FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN Babysitting Clinic (Gr 4 -6) Cheerleading (Gr 4 -6) Danceline (Gr 4 -6) Soccer (Gr 4 -6) PROJECT KIDS A latch -key program for elementary aged children. Open Mon. -Fri. from 3 -6 pm at Neill Elementary School. Cost is $3.50 per day. FAMILY TOURS MN Northstars vs. Calgary Flames -Mon., Mar. 18 Walt Disney World on Ice -Sat., Mar. 23 And a comprehensive Senior Adults SKI TRIPS FOR JR. & SR. HIGH Afton Alps Sat., March 9, 9:30 -5:30 pm (all students) Fri., March 22, 1 -8:30 pm (Jr. High) Welch Village Tue., March 19, 9:30 -5:30 (Sr. High Only) Trollhaugen Sat., Feb. 23, 9:30 -5:30 (all students) Mon., March 18, 9:30 -5:30 (Sr. High Only) ADULT TOURS "Cotton Patch Gospel" at the Old Log - Thur., Feb. 21 "Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show" at the Ordway -Sun., Mar. 3 "Grand Artistic Adventure" at the Swedish - American & Mpls. Art Institutes - Wed., Mar. 27 ADULT SKI ADVENTURES Wild Mountain - Thur., Feb. 7 Welch Village -Wed., Mar. 27 FITNESS & HEALTH Massage -for Health & Stress Management Swimnastics Water Exercise AQUATICS Superchicken swim classes Water Adaptation for Babies Water Adaptation for Toddlers Swim for Tots Swim for Tots (Adv. I & II) Public Swimming Program at the Sioux Trail School Sr. Breakfasts, Great Sunday Socials, Classes - Activities of every kind for everybody! GROUP W TELEVISION TRAINING Basic TV Production Studio Production 1/2" VHS Portable Video Editing PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Working with Personalities Color Seminars Put Your Best Face Forward Coping with Difficult People Midpoint: Families After Trauma Three Keys to Weight Control: Nutrition/ Behavior /Exercise PRIDE IN YOUR HOME Cozy Country Interiors Window Treatments Landscaping Your Home Home Design Tour - New International Design Center CREATIVE CUISINE Hor D'oeuvres II "Breaddy Bear" - Frozen Dough Creations Chicken Delight Yassou! Greek Cooking ADULT GENERAL EDUCATION CPR Infant & Child Emergencies Multi -Media First Aid Going Into Business Promoting the Small Business Maximize Stock Market Returns Money Mgmt. for the Two- Income Family Citizens Center - including Men's Consult your brochure. Register thru the Community Services Office. COMMUN 1TY SEGRV10ES 887.7213 School District 191 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, MN 55337