The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Paul P. during the 2008-2009 League.

Mission: Observe - Job Shadow

I was happy and blessed to have the opportunity to job-shadow and be mentored by Bryan B. Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills. It has been a positive learning experience on a number of levels. At the business and political level I have gained a much greater understanding of city government and its inner workings. On the personal level, my conversations with him have inspired me and helped me to continue giving serious thought to where I’m headed. Over the course of the year, I was able to shadow him not once, not twice, but five times. And I learned an incredible amount over the course of that time. He familiarized me with his position, the budget, City Hall and it’s various departments. He showed me around the Rochester Hills police department, the service building, and more. Before meeting the mayor, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was quite nervous. However, upon meeting him, my anxiety quickly melted away. He showed me into his office and we had a good introductory conversation and started to get to know each other. After that, he gave me a tour of Rochester’s City Hall.

He walked me through every department, from human resources to financial. I could tell by the interactions with his employees that they really respected and appreciated him. He had a sharp wit and always had a joke to share with his employees.

He also explained to me some of the work that goes into the simpler processes of the Mayor’s Office. The local gym had donated 4 treadmills to the city, and the mayor was planning on making good use of them. Two of them would go to the fire department, and two to the office to help promote the new employee wellness campaign. But first, the transaction had to be approved by several departments. Their financial department had to make sure that it was a worthwhile decision, and the legal department had to be contacted about the legalities of having exercise equipment in the building, because of potential injuries and the like.

He familiarized me with some of the budget. As the mayor, every year he has to become reacquainted with the massive 500-page booklet containing all the information about the budget now and for the future. It holds information on all of the expenditures of the city government, all the sources of income, all the potential future projects, etc. He also showed me their special satellite-imaging program. With it, they can view any area within several cities distance, from four angles. They can zoom in closer than google maps and it has a lot more options at hand. This program is mostly used by their services department, as there is info on where just about everything is, from manholes to fire hydrants to sewage systems. There is also information on their upkeep, I.D., and many other tidbits that will probably never be needed. The satellite imaging has been used in emergencies, when victims may not know exactly where they are but know what their location looks like. Using satellite imaging, they can find the location based on its appearance and save the person in need.

After observing a bit more about the program (and getting a color printout of my house from one of the workers) it was time to leave. But before I went, the mayor gave me his state to the city address on DVD. My homework was to watch the video before my next visit. It was both enjoyable and educational as to what was going on with the city of Rochester.

We also went on a road trip in order to give me an idea of what the city government oversees. Every service truck we passed, all of the landscapers at work in their parks, the lifeguards at the beach, all of them were employed by the city. He gave me a tour of their service building, showing me where they make their street signs, where they store their service vehicles, etc.

He also gave me a tour of the media department and had the head of the department give me an idea of what goes on there during a typical day. I was also privileged to be the very first to get a sneak preview of what the Rochester Hills channel would look like after it’s new make over. I won’t tell you what it was like, but I will say that it looked brilliant.

I’m very excited to say that this won’t be the last time I see the mayor. Later this year, he is planning on taking me with him when he campaigns for a fellow politician, going door-to-door, and making some phone calls. Interning at City Hall next spring is also a possibility. God has definitely worked through SSI to open doors for me in the near future and in years to come.

Day 1
Familiarized me with his position
Showed me around the City hall
Taught me a bit about the council


Day 2
Talked about Christians role in government
Showed how much work approving Treadmills for office could be
Local gym donated around 4 treadmills (Two go to fire department, Two to office)
Had to go to lawyers to hear about possible legalities involved


Day 3
Familiarized me more with the budget
Satellite image program
Gave me the State to the city address on dvd


Day 4
Showed me more of the service duty of the mayors office
Showed me the service building
Make their own signs
Contract police work


The job of the Mayor
The ambassador (or the face) of city hall
The Manager of city hall and its employees
Create budgeting plan for the year