Students plant seeds of interest.

The Student Branch of NRPA wants to actively share the career possibilities in our field with college and university students across the United States through a program called Grassroots Initiative (GRI).The goal of GRI is to create opportunities through student-led events, for students not currently affiliated with parks and recreation, so they may become aware of or get involved in the field.

Students at continuing education schools currently majoring in "undecided" are the primary targets of this initiative. To attract these and other students, events are systematically being held at several schools that Student Branch members attend. The goal of the initiative would be to have a SRI event taking place at as many schools as possible.

In February, the first official GRI event took place on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). It was a campus luncheon, and advertised through fliers, e-mails and postings on the university Web site. Food and beverages were served while students were matched with faculty and local professionals according to their interests.

Every student was contacted shortly afterward and invited to talk with a faculty advisor. Several students did have meetings with advisors, and developed an interest in the Department of Recreation Parks and Tourism at UNCG.

Written by Eric Galen Johnson

For more information about GRI, contact Danielle Timmerman at [e-mail]