About the role#
The Campus Recreation Student Intern joins the Penn State team to support operations, human resources, and student development. This role offers two concentration tracks: Recreation & Operations or Human Resources & Student Development. You will gain hands-on experience within a complex organization that serves over 600 student employees. You will develop skills in leadership, assessment, and organizational effectiveness while completing a capstone project aligned with departmental priorities.
What you'll do#
- Support day-to-day operations, staff supervision, scheduling, and risk management.
- Participate in facility inspections, audits, and equipment oversight.
- Assist with hiring, training, and development of student employees.
- Coordinate or assist with programs, events, and workshops.
- Collect and analyze participation, staffing, and facility use data.
- Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and employee experience initiatives.
- Support the implementation of the Campus Recreation Student Development Model and leadership curriculum.
- Gather and analyze retention, compliance, and assessment data.
- Contribute to onboarding redesign, recognition programs, and engagement strategies.
- Support staff communications, training compliance, and documentation processes.
- Attend and contribute to staff meetings and trainings.
- Collaborate on departmental assessment and reporting projects.
- Facilitate or co-facilitate staff development initiatives.
- Engage in cross-department experiences to build systems-level understanding.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management, Human Resources, Labor and Employment Relations, or a related field.
- Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment.
- CPR/AED and First Aid certification (these can be obtained upon hire).
- Willingness to work evenings or weekends.
- Ability to balance academic and job responsibilities.
Location & details#
- Location: University Park, Pennsylvania.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Part-time, 40 hours per week.
- Compensation: Paid position.
About Penn State University
Penn State University is an educational institution founded in 1855. It operates 24 campuses and serves a student body of nearly 88,000 people. The university focuses on education and research. It is based in University Park, Pennsylvania.
How to get in at Penn State University
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