Mary Kawalek
Q&A
Q. Where are you employed? What is your Title?
I am employed at York Center Park District in Lombard, IL. My title is Program Supervisor. I am in charge of the
teen programs, after school program, various special events, and anything else that is thrown my way. :)
Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is that I get to do something fun every day which is create. Creativity is an innate part
of me so to be able to go to work every day and create programs and bring to life special events that I have imagined in
my mind is a lot of fun.
I also work with great people which makes going to work that much better!
Q. What do you consider to be your most valuable contribution to your organization for which you work?
My optimism and creativity. I am naturally a positive person and just hope to bring this love and happiness in every aspect of my life.
Q. Given your career path, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to continue to use my creativity skills. A dream of mine is to be a writer so maybe I will be a famous author
by then!
But, if not (or if I am doing both!), I hope to continue to be helping people and doing something I am passionate about. I think
eventually I would like to work for a non-profit group that raises awareness/advocates for one of the many issues I am passionate about.
Q. Do you have any words of advice/recommendations? a. for undergrads still searching for a major—would you recommend RST and why?,
b. for the undergrads currently in the program, c. for the senior currently looking for his/her first position?
a. I would recommend RST because the faculty is wonderful and truly care about your education. They are very helpful. Also, the
leisure/recreation industry is just a fun industry to be in. If helping others, coming up with special events and program ideas,
working with people, running stadiums/sports teams, or anything else related to the recreation, sport, and tourism field, is something
that calls to you, then RST is an excellent choice! Make sure you find something you are passionate about and then do your best to make
a living out of that.
b. Try out different areas to find your niche in the RST field. There is so much more than park districts and sports teams out
there (although both are great organizations to work in)! RST is a great major because there truly is so much you can do with an
RST degree, if you search for it and apply yourself.
c. For the senior looking for his/her first position, don’t give up! It can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening at times,
but somehow, somewhere everything will work out. Try to see every rejection as something that just wasn’t meant to be and that it is
making room for something better instead. If you keep a positive attitude and don’t give up hope, then you will find what you are
looking for eventually.
Also, I think it is just as important to know what you are not looking for, as it is to know what you are looking for.
Make sure you apply to jobs that you really could see yourself enjoying and that utilize your best skills and attributes.
Q. Please add anything else that might be helpful.
Do what you enjoy doing and what you are passionate about. I love positive quotes so I will leave you with this...
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is
people who have come alive.”
–Howard Thurman-