Marissa Kula - Executive Administrative Assistant

Marissa Kula grew up right here in Naperville, Illinois and has been connected to the Naperville Park District since she was a child, participating in youth programming still offered today! She attended the University of Illinois, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. 

She originally started her career with the Naperville Park District as a part time Customer Service Associate, and in July 2022, was promoted to a full-time Customer Service Specialist. She now serves as the Executive Administrative Assistant working in our Human Resources department.  

Q&A with Marissa

Describe your path to the parks and recreation industry. Did you start your career from the beginning in this industry? If not, how did you get here and why did you pursue a job in this field?

While in college, I was pursuing a career in the field of education. I was interested in working at the elementary level, and I was looking to find employment working with that age group. I knew some classmates that were working for a local Park District as Camp Counselors and after hearing how much they enjoyed these positions, I knew I had to apply! This was my first introduction to the field of parks and recreation. I absolutely loved the culture of the Park District that I worked for, and I continued pursuing part time roles at local Park Districts while finishing my degree.

Out of college, I applied to a part-time position with the Naperville Park District. This was only meant to be temporary while I took time to figure out what my next step was, but I found that I really enjoyed working here and that I had a passion for this field. I was able to form connections with members of the community and saw firsthand the difference that we were making in residents’ lives. Low and behold, a full-time position opened, and I went for it! 

Please explain your specific role as succinctly as possible, including which department you work in.
I am currently working in the Human Resources department, and I serve as the Board Secretary working directly with our seven-member Board of Commissioners. This includes the management and documentation of Board meetings, the preparation of meeting minutes, and the oversight of Board records. Additionally, I serve as the District’s Lead Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer and Open Meetings Act (OMA) Designee. 

What about your life in general makes this industry a good fit for you?
The main factor that pulled me towards a career in this field is the team-based work environment that is present at every park district I’ve worked for. This is something that’s always on the top of my list whenever I’ve looked for a job. Those working in parks and recreation prioritize collaboration, making an impact on the community, and enjoy having fun! It takes a lot of people to provide the services that we offer throughout the year, and we all work together to make it happen.

If you would recommend working in parks and rec to others, what reasons would you give to support your recommendation?
If you enjoy giving back to the community, then parks and recreation is the perfect field for you! Growing up as a member of this community, I’ve been directly impacted by the work of the Naperville Park District. I participated in many youth programs growing up, and I would not be the person I am today without those programs. I not only learned skills that I may not have learned anywhere else, but I also made friends that I still have to this day! Now, I get to be a part of an organization that provides those same kinds of experiences to others, which I find very rewarding. I’m able to see the impact that we make on a daily basis, and it provides a sense of purpose to what I do.

How would you explain to someone that parks and recreation is a great place for a career – regardless of their field of study, college degree or experience.
There are so many career opportunities within the field of parks and recreation, each requiring very different skillsets and backgrounds. Many people don’t even realize that we have positions in finance, marketing, IT, HR, and planning. We also have positions working in our parks, at our golf courses, in our facilities, and more! 

I went to college to pursue a degree in education. At that time, I didn’t imagine a career for myself in this field, but there are so many opportunities here that can directly relate to whatever experience you have, or whatever degree you have. Even if you didn’t originally plan on making a career here, you’ll be able to find something that aligns with your future career goals and aspirations.

Any additional information that you feel is important to communicate about your career path, experience with NPD, etc.
I am fairly new to the work force, only having graduated college in the Spring of 2022. However, I believe that in my short time working in a full-time capacity, my colleagues at the District have allowed me to grow into the professional that I am today. There is an emphasis on development across the organization, so even if you are in a place where you don’t know which direction you want to go, you’ll be given space to develop and learn more about what your true passions are.