Students gain insight of Extension through summer internship program

Through special one-time funding, the OCES has employed 12 students to complete an internship program, said Jim Trapp, OCES Associate Director. The internships will last eight to 12 weeks.

“Providing paid internships has worked for private industry for years and we thought it would be a good opportunity for Extension,” Trapp said. “The interns are being exposed to all aspects of Extension programming, including 4-H, agriculture, family and consumer sciences and rural development. The internships are designed to give the students an in-depth look at Extension and broaden their knowledge of how Extension benefits the state of Oklahoma.

 “We are giving the students an opportunity to have a job-like experience and we get to show some of our best students the opportunities that a career in Extension offers,” he continued. “We hope to attract some of these interns into a career in Extension who might otherwise have never seriously considered that career path. At the same time we are also contributing to the academic program objectives of OSU by giving a dozen students an internship experience that will help them be better employees for any employer. Finally, I should not discount the fact that summer is a busy time in a county Extension office and we can certainly use the help, fresh ideas and enthusiasm that these talented students bring to the table.”

 The students submitted a written application along with a résumé, and counties that wanted to host an intern submitted a written outline of what the intern would do.

“There are many things going on in the counties during the summer months, especially with the 4-H program,” said Charles Cox, state 4-H program leader and OCES assistant director. “This group of students is getting a wide variety of experiences. They’ve already been to State 4-H Roundup and some will be assisting with summer camps.”

Cox said a graduate student administered a pre-test to the interns to determine their knowledge and perception of Extension prior to their internships. A post-test will be administered at the end of the program to see how the interns’ knowledge and perception of Extension have changed.

“The interns also are keeping weekly journals that will be included in their portfolios documenting their experience this summer,” Cox said. “The students will present their portfolios to our district program specialists and they’ll select an outstanding intern.”

 The internships were advertised to college juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students. Participants and their majors are Alton Carter, sociology, Logan County; Dana Cox, horticulture, Cleveland and Pottawatomie counties; Emily Gregory, agricultural leadership, Bryan County; Gayle Buellesfeld, agricultural leadership, Lincoln County; Becky Bailey, dietetics and exercise, Washita County; Kelli Armbruster, agricultural education, Pittsburg County; Megan Maxson, human development and family science, Blaine County; Micah Turner, agricultural leadership, Haskell and LeFlore counties; Shane Martin, agricultural education, Kay County; Natalie Kayne, animal science/agricultural economics, Canadian County; Rachael Perryman, nutritional sciences, Oklahoma County; and Rebekah Cox, agricultural communication/animal science, Marshall County.

Kyle Worthington, Oklahoma County Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, said he is excited that Oklahoma County is a part of the intern program. They have assisted Perryman, the county’s intern, in developing a mini plan of work for her summer internship that will provide her with a broad spectrum of experiences.

"She’s working closely with the 4-H Youth Development Program and has taken part in State 4-H Roundup, summer camp and our Teen Retreat,” Worthington said. “She graduated with a degree in health and nutrition and we are including some of her expertise in that area into her internship. This also gets her out of her comfort zone and provides the opportunity to experience new educational avenues as well.”

Worthington also said the OCES internship program is a great marketing and recruiting tool to provide interested graduates with hands-on experiences in what it is like to work in the field with clientele.

 Carter, who is interning in Logan County, said although he was not familiar with OCES before he began his internship, he has learned a lot in the few weeks he has been on the job.

“One thing I am sure of is that every day is different in Extension. In the short time I’ve been here, people come into the office to get water and soil tested, have plants identified, get help on projects and people come in to visit because they feel welcome,” Carter said. “I also have learned that many of the parent volunteers are some of the most loyal and committed I have ever met.”

Carter said before the internship began, he had not considered Extension as a possible career path. Since then, he has changed his tune.

“I am convinced that Extension is exactly where I want to be,” he said. “Working for Extension will allow me to use my God given talents to have a positive impact on kids. I’ve always had a passion for working with kids and Extension is the perfect fit.”

Trapp said even if the summer interns do not choose to go into Extension work, they will definitely have a better understand of OCES and how it positively impacts the lives of all Oklahomans.

“The internship program is a win-win situation all around. Through it we’re able to spread the knowledge of Extension,” he said. “This effort will pay dividends no matter where these students go.”

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
136 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu