June 2015 - Parks & Recreation - 37

- there are so many cool jobs on the
website. It gets you dreaming.
Davidson: Building connections can
only jump-start a career for someone
nearing graduation!
Wagner: NRPA definitely provides
the proper resources for students to
excel after graduation. I look forward
to seeing where my relationship with
the national organization takes me.
3) Attending the NRPA
Annual Conference
Hobbs: Attending the 2014 NRPA
Congress was one of the most educational and fun experiences of my
college career. Walking onto the exposition floor for the first time, I was
immediately greeted by the friendliest vendors, schools and working
professionals.
Davidson: At the NRPA Congress in
Charlotte, I really enjoyed that I was
able to connect and share a meal with
a professional in the industry.
Hudspeth: It was an honor to learn
from some of the most educated,
wise and passionate people in this
field at the 2014 NRPA Congress.
Every parks and recreation student
should have a chance to do this, too!
2) Gaining Personal, Professional
and School Pride
Hobbs: Through NRPA, I've met a
few Texas A&M alumni, all of whom
gave me quality advice, as I will be
entering the professional world soon.
Hudspeth: I really enjoyed representing my school on a national stage in
the student quiz bowl. We studied a
lot, and it was pretty nerve-racking,
but it was super fun to have our pro

The Texas A&M University Student Quiz Bowl team fields questions during the 2014
NRPA Congress. From left: Callie Hobbs, Captain Morgan Davidson and Leah Hudspeth.

" By joining [NRPA], you
are becoming a part of
something that is bigger
than yourself. "
fessors cheer us on and meet other
students from across the country.
Davidson: As students, we are the
best advocates for NRPA. My peers
will be impacting the field! By joining, you are becoming a part of something that is bigger than yourself.
And the No. 1 reason -
the learning opportunities!
Hobbs: NRPA has provided so many
educational opportunities to learn
about programs, strategies and other
services like events and marketing.

Wagner: I have learned and refined
skills that I will be able to carry with
me for the rest of my life. I've learned
about major happenings and research being conducted, and NRPA
provides a chance to apply what I've
learned in the classroom to real-life
situations.
So, fellow recreation educators and
students, the next time one of those
two frequently asked questions comes
up in your classroom, you have five
very good reasons to respond, " The
best time to join NRPA is now! " Our
field's future leaders will benefit from
the networking, career preparation,
conference participation, school
pride and learning opportunities that
student membership provides.
Anna Pechenik Mausolf, CPRP, is a Ph.D.
student at Texas A&M University and coach
of the 2014 Fighting Aggies student quiz
bowl team (annapechenik@gmail.com).

W W W. N R PA . O R G | J U N E 2 0 1 5 |

Parks & Recreation

June 2015 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2015 - Parks & Recreation