A big change for potential superintendents like these at GCSAA's Turf Bowl Competition is the increased emphasis on internships while in college. Finding the right assistant

A strong educational background and practical work experience are becoming even more important as competition for better golf course management positions increases. To be competitive in today's job market, the modern-day superintendent should consider specialized education or training.

One of the changes over the last five years, according to Jeffrey V. Krans, Ph.D., professor of agronomy in the plant and soil sciences department at Mississippi State University, is the mandatory internship for four-year programs. He says, "Turf programs can't operate without having internships. They are essential for the student's and program's credibility."

Internships allow students to learn from superintendents "by not only asking questions, but watching how they manage people, how they manage time and how they interact with golfers," says Paul Rieke, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the crop and soil sciences department at Michigan State University.

Another change is the increase in the number of business electives. Al Turgeon, Ph.D., professor of turfgrass management in the department of agronomy at Penn State University, says, "All of our students typically take enough business courses to actually have a minor in business management. We wanted to better equip them to deal with a multiplicity of challenges rather than just entirely focus on the turfgrass."

Resources are more abundant for this generation of students, says Keith Karnok, Ph.D., professor in the crop and soil sciences department at the University of Georgia. Karnok comments, "Having access to the Web has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. They can get up-to-date product information instantly, and/or, if they desire, they can even take turf courses from other institutions. Likewise, teaching students today is more challenging because of the Web. It's not uncommon for an industrious student to come in with information obtained from the Web that the teacher wasn't even aware of. Ten or 15 years ago students were pretty much limited to the resources available on campus, which were often the same as those in the teacher's office."

Turgeon says, "I think we've got a somewhat more sophisticated technical manager we're trying to create today. These students are in a field where the challenges are greater. The playability characteristics and standards that they are trying to achieve and sustain are higher than ever, historically."

"Be patient and select jobs carefully, working for well-known superintendents," is advice Krans gives to his graduating students. He also says, "The assistant superintendent jobs are not extremely tight (to get into). It is the head superintendent positions that are becoming tight." Turgeon says, "There is a more complex organization within golf courses, sometimes involving positions like director of golf, several superintendents, maybe first and second assistants. They have more of a hierarchy and that creates more opportunities, particularly for young people entering the profession."

Krista Wagner is GCSAA's copywriter and promotions specialist for career development.