The Cooperative Extension Internship Program is a unique program that provides students an opportunity to work with an Extension professional to make a difference in a Kentucky community. In summer 2016, seven students from the School of Human Environmental Sciences participated in the 12-week summer internship. The hands-on experience enabled students to implement their own projects, network with agents, and further develop their professional interests.
Kerra Jones, a Dietetics major, interned with Franklin County Extension in summer 2016. She shared, “This internship was a great experience and was my favorite summer to-date. It was very eventful, and each activity or task that my advisor asked me to do was beneficial and a learning experience. I grew so much this past summer, and it was mind-blowing to be able to see that change. Each day was a new day to learn and grow.”
As part of her internship, Kerra worked with a fellow intern to complete an initiative called “Making Healthy Happen”. The students researched the need for a program in the county and identified several health related issues to address. The targeted audience of the project was young children. Through educating the youth, they worked to foster healthy habits in the children’s lives so they will change the health-related statistics in the future. She reflected on her experience and stated, “Watching all your planning and hard work come together was definitely the icing on the cake. This career offers something different every day which is something that I am looking for! No day is the same in Extension but no day is a boring day!”
Kyaria Scott, a Family Sciences major, interned with Christian County Cooperative Extension. Her favorite part of her internship experience was the time she spent working in the community. Kyaria said, “There was one day each week where we would go to two separate summer camps around town. One was held at the local Boys & Girls Club and the other at an old elementary school. Each week we taught a different lesson on leadership. It was so thrilling to hear the kids yell ‘The 4-H ladies are here!’ when we walked through the door and to see them be so engaged in our activities.”
At the conclusion of her internship, she realized that she learned how to become more adaptable. She networked with agents and saw how flexible they are and how willing they are to work in many different capacities. All in all, having no prior knowledge about the Cooperative Extension Service, Kyaria ended the summer able to see herself pursuing a career as an Extension agent.
Applications are being accepted for the 2017 UK Cooperative Extension Internship program until December 31, 2016. The application is available online at: http://www.ca.uky.edu/extensionjobs/Summer_Intern_Application.php. For more information, contact Mia Farrell via email (antomia.farrell.@uky.edu).