ProX Summer Interns
Published on July 23, 2024
National Intern Day is July 25 and Jackson County is celebrating its 2024 summer interns.
Some of those interns were part of the ProX program. The program is a real-world learning initiative providing summer professional experiences for high school students. It provides an ideal time for focused learning and capacity building while creating paid opportunities for students to earn Market Value Assets, learn essential skills and build social capital.
Along with valuable experience students receive a $1,250 stipend. The stipend was paid for by ProX, rather than the employer.
This is the third year Jackson County has participated in the program. Dennis Franklin and Destiny Meseberg were two of the ProX interns who served in the Parks + Rec Department this year.
Meseberg, who is a junior at Fort Osage High School said the pair were, “Basically observers, people explained to us what their jobs were and the purpose of it. We got to see what they did and what it is all about.”
“We did something different every day,” Franklin who is a sophomore at Lee’s Summit High School said. “We went to all the different branches, like one day we were the rangers and a different day we were helping with an event.”
He said his favorite was working with the boats at the marina while Meseberg’s was helping with Summer Camp at Kemper Outdoor Education Center.
According to Superintendent of Park Operations, Tina Spallo, “This is the third year that the Parks Department has participated in the ProX program. Destiney and Dennis were my third set of Pro X interns. I have had two interns each year, by far these two have out shined the other four. They were very motivated, fun to work with, they didn’t mind experiencing the entire parks system and all that it had to offer.”
“Probably one of the funnest days was when they were out at Missouri Town working, and they were all dressed up in period attire helping to interpret and helping with the livestock. Everything they did they had a great time, but they were just really good sports,” she said.
“Whether they had to be here at 7 o’clock in the morning or 6 at night, they always had a smile on their face and they were always on time. So, it was probably the most enjoyable experience that I have had through Pro X with two students.”
Meseberg and Franklin agreed that they would be telling friends about the program. Franklin said that he would like to participate in ProX again, “I don’t know what I would do but I would definitely do it again.”
As for the $1,250 both said it would be going into savings for college.
ProX is a program that Parks would like to continue being a part of Spallo said, “It’s a lot of work and it definitely takes time out of your day, but I find that is very self-fulfilling for me because I can see these kids grow by teaching them. I do like to teach and share my experiences with them and introduce them to what a great parks system that we have, so yeah, we will definitely be on board again next year.”
ProX Internship Program Information