A Developing Community

As my weeks continue here in the city, being able to manage office work is becoming an easier task. Erik Rejino has done a wonderful job of setting up work days with each department head of the city. As the intern working for the Assistant City Manager, I have been able to work with each department head of the community to understand how each branch is individually managed to initially operate as a whole. Near the end of the internship will I have been able to work with each department individually, a task Erik Rejino has managed to do during his time in office as the assistant city manager.

I do applaud The Texas Department of Agriculture for providing an opportunity for undergrad students to voluntarily get involved with local government officials and it has been a privilege to sit in during director meetings of Texas Government organizations such as South Plains Association of Government, American Public Works Association, Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Texas Agriculture Field Representatives, and CRMWA Board of Directors Meeting. Each meeting attended has given me an opportunity to learn about skills that will later aid for future projects. During a radio interview, I made the point that this internship is a great way to learn individual leadership skills as part of the program. As I have grown older, I have realized that what it means to grow into my adult self has lead me to positions where I have been asked to manage my own work and the work of others. Positions that require a person to know appropriate times of initiations and with confidence address concerns as a member of any business.  In return, I have been able to outgrow old habits that have truly helped me realize my capabilities during my time here and it wasn’t until recently that I have been able to recognize all that I am capable of.

Until further notice,

Rosalia G. Orozco
Huntsville, Texas

Levelland, Texas

During the last week of my college courses for the semester, I anticipated the response to the application I submitted a couple days ago for the Texas of Agriculture Center of Rural Studies Summer Internship. To my surprise, I had been accepted as one of the few college students from Sam Houston State University that would be traveling to a rural community to engage in a community apart of the one they had been accustomed to. As soon as I realized that I would be traveling up to West Texas for two whole months I had to prepare for the move. Both my family and I were thrilled to know that I had a chance to show the work ethics I had learned over the last 3 years of my college career. As a Psychology Major, local government was an area of professional work that I had yet to gain proper knowledge in and being here as an intern has given me a great opportunity to learn more about what it takes for a city to be at its best in order for their residents to enjoy. During the first week, I spend most of my time getting to know their workers and city officials. To be involved in local government quickly meant that one must be willing to give one-hundred percent of their time in order to make their duties a priority for the rest of the community to become successful. 

From the very beginning I knew that my schedule would be a busy one!  That Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending a local art Exhibit that was held at the old cities movie theatre in downtown, The Wallace Theatre. Since the theatre has so much history, a local residential family here at Levelland has made it their life to commit to the major renovations the building needs in order for it become a main attraction to the city. And believe me much has been done to help The Wallace Theatre become a welcoming area for locals to come enjoy themselves on an evening out. It has been a great pleasure getting to know and volunteer with this wonderful community!

The following week meant business with City Council Meetings scheduled every other Monday (which by the way are open to the public, so join us next time), Noon Lions Club gatherings at the Country Club here in town and department webinar training videos as a mean to gain better experience! Every day, I was accompanying Erik Rejino, the assistant city manager of Levelland and also my mentor for the summer, to event gatherings that were a part of his daily work schedule. Each day that passed by, I become more aware of the leadership qualities each hard working individual here at City Hall has and realized a few important aspects of a professional work environment. City Hall employees have taught me that hard work is a characteristic that comes natural and a quality that is valued most by those here. As proud as I am to be a part of this team for the summer, I know that the decision to move to Levelland, Texas has already proven to be a strong one and as a young adult, I am looking forward to growing into a professional worker.

Until the next time,

Rosalia G. Orozco
Huntsville, TX