Contact Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Leisure, and/or Tourism Administrator or Manager and make an appointment to speak with them explaining that you would like to interview them for an assignment in your Administration of Recreation Services course. This should be an administrator or manager with major responsibilities, preferably the top administrator of an agency or department.

First you should include the name of the person being interviewed, the facility in which they work and the contact information of the person/facility.

During the interview, please ask the following questions:

• What is the person's name? What is the official name of your agency and your official title? How long have you been in this position?
• Briefly, could you tell me about your background? College education? If so, what field is your college degree in? What are some of your previous recreational positions?
• What would you say are your primary 3 to 4 major responsibilities of your position?
• Could you briefly describe one specific task or project you are currently working on?
• What are some aspects of your position that you particularly enjoy?
• What are a few aspects of your position that you dislike and/or find the most challenging or difficult?
• If "the powers that be" would allocate the funds (i.e. you could have an unlimited budget), what kinds of programs/projects/equipment/facilities would you like for your agency or facility?
• In any way you'd like, how would you describe yourself as an administrator?
• How do you think your subordinates would describe you as an administrator?
• What advice or recommendations might your offer someone hoping to become a recreation administrator?
• What experience do you have working in an administrative role?
• What strategies do you use to ensure efficient operations in the workplace?
• How do you handle difficult or challenging situations with staff?
• What processes do you have in place to support the development of your team's skills and knowledge?
• How do you ensure that tasks are completed on time and in accordance with established standards?

Instructions

• Use your notes from the interview and paraphrase the administrator's responses. You should write at least two paragraphs per response. You should type the question and then the response and questions should be asked in order.
• In a paragraph or two describe your experience of interviewing the administrator. Include any personal comments, thoughts, reactions, or any information you received that you particularly liked or disliked.

Resources - Finding an administrator to interview can be difficult. Here are a few resources: nycparks.org. Click on facilities/recreation centers. There are 36 centers. Each has a manager and deputies. Those are good for the interview. You can also search NRPA.org