There are probably many people out there who don’t think the City of Eden Prairie is the most exciting place to work. Sure, Police and Fire have their share of adventures, but what could possibly be exciting and thrilling about working in communications? In our small division, consisting of three full-time staff and a handful of part-timers and interns, we spend our days writing news releases, updating the City Web site and creating promotional materials for various events and programs. For the most part, our days are uneventful and life is fairly predictable behind the cubicle walls.
But peppering the ordinary are moments of extraordinary excitement and adventure. Throughout the past 18 months I have done things I never thought I would do and seen things I never imagined I would see. From fighting fires to photographing the President of the United States, my year-and-a-half in Eden Prairie has been one incredible ride!
It all began in the spring of 2006 when I was wrapping up my senior year at the University of Minnesota. A budding young journalist, I was looking forward to graduating and venturing out into the world of small market television news. For the previous seven months I had been interning at KARE 11 news on the morning show. During that time I had the privilege of working with a very inspirational reporter, Rena Sargianiopolous. Rena was working part-time at KARE 11 and full-time at the City of Eden Prairie in its Communications Division. She told me about the monthly television show the City produced called Life in the Prairie and how they were looking for an intern. I was really excited by the chance to produce television stories that would air live on TV. I immediately applied for the position and was hired in April of 2006.
From day one, my internship was off to an interesting start. Right away two of the three full-time employees left the City to pursue other opportunities. Then, my boss was hospitalized and it was down to just me. For three weeks I was the entire City of Eden Prairie Communications Division. Overall it was an incredible challenge and awesome experience where for the first time I was able to explore my full potential.
After proving myself as a communications professional I was hired as an official City employee last September. Since being hired I have had the opportunity to experience some pretty cool things.
Last fall I had an opportunity to serve as the City’s primary media contact during a bomb threat. Our police and fire evacuated the area and I was able to communicate with the local media outlets and set up interviews between reporters and City staff. It was my first experience with crisis communications and I was able to stay calm and composed despite the chaotic situation around me.
Then, this past June I was able to participate in the Women’s Fire Expo, a one-day training event where women have the opportunity to learn that they can become fire fighters. I put on the full gear, oxygen mask and all, crawled into a fire simulation tower and put out an actual fire.
Recently, I had the opportunity to accompany our police officers on their official presidential detail. A few weeks ago President Bush attended a fundraiser in Eden Prairie and I was able to go behind the barricade to photograph our officers and the motorcade as it drove by. I even got a glimpse of the man himself!
It was exactly 18 months ago today that I started my employment here at the City and looking back it’s hard to believe I’ve experienced so much in such a short amount of time. From my trial by fire as an intern to handling crisis communications as a communications professional my work here at the City of Eden Prairie has really been an amazing journey. And if anyone says that working for the City is not exciting, then I would beg to differ!
