CALS Career Expo Experience

During the CALS Career Expo I spoke with Mrs. Heather Tart, Wake County 4-H Extension agent about an internship within Wake County Cooperative Extension, as well as other internships with county extension across North Carolina.  Mrs. Tart shared information with me regarding the careers and internships within the extension services and what was required of an incoming employee.  She also informed me of the required skills necessary for the job, entry-level salary and how holding a job in extension would benefit me in the future and enable me to gain valuable job experience.  I shared with her my name, my major, my areas of interest, my career efficiency and my past experiences working as a 4-H member and with the cooperative extension.

For starters, if I was interested in an internship with Wake County 4-H, I would have to request and complete an application, meet with the extension staff and then get assigned to an extension area, such as 4-H, Livestock, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, etc.  Some internships may be paid, depending on the county, due to budget cuts.  Since not all internships can be paid positions, usually the cooperative extension will try to work with the intern to establish some benefits for him/her, so that the intern isn't at a total loss.  Also, the extension service usually partners with the university or institution that the student is attending in order to ensure that the student receives credit for his/her internship.

 In order to intern with the cooperative extension one must be an agricultural or FCS major and also must be able to perform the duties and requirements assigned to the intern.  Most of the work will consist of assisting the extension agents usually along with completing coursework.  I asked Mrs. Tart what type of background was necessary if I wanted to work with the 4-H extension staff and what type of work I would be doing.  She said that while a 4-H background wasn't necessary, it was a great asset having been involved in the organization and also having worked with youth.  Since I have had 12 years experience in the 4-H organization, I already am at a good starting point.  Also, having held numerous leadership positions will benefit me as well.

Usually the cooperative extension doesn't hire students unless they are juniors or seniors in college.  One the internship is obtained, the coursework and assignments are completed efficiently, and the term for the position is over, generally interns are hired by that cooperative extension or one of a different county.  By holding an internship, it benefits the student by gaining experience and credibility within the cooperative extension office.

 All in all, my chat with recruiter Mrs. Heather Tart was very helpful and full of information.  While I am an agricultural education major, I have always considered agricultural extension as a second career choice.  I have a strong background as a 4-H member and I love working with youth helping them learn to raise animals, complete 4-H projects and presentations and encouraging them to strive for leadership and excellence so that they will grow from their experiences.  I believe I would enjoy working as an extension agent and I may seriously consider seeking out an internship and later a career in extension if I were to change my career from agricultural education.