The summer intern program is a win-win situation for Kentucky young people and the Cooperative Extension Service. It gives students a positive glimpse into an Extension career, while providing CES with a group of beneficial employees who may fill future professional Extension positions.

Did you know that about 25 percent of our current Extension professionals participated in the intern program?

College juniors and seniors are preferred for the Summer Intern Program. Those majoring in areas relating to agriculture and family and consumer sciences are needed to work in these areas. Interns working in 4-H Youth Development can have these or a variety of other majors.

Interns will interact a great deal with the public in their professional roles at county Extension offices. These activities may include giving presentations, participating in Extension-sponsored meetings and field days, attending a week of 4-H camp, helping at county fairs or developing materials to promote educational programming.

I was an intern the summer after my junior year and loved it. I had the opportunity to work with professionals from all over Kentucky, gaining much needed workforce skills. The time spent during my internship created memories and contacts that I can still pull from today.

A summer co-op experience is another summer option for students. They can obtain college credit but will not be paid. Co-op students usually work 40 hours a week.

For more information on the summer student intern and co-op programs, contact the UK College of Agriculture Personnel Office at 859-257-1727 or visit http://www.ca.uky.edu/extensionjobs/index.html.

You also can obtain information on these programs and other educational opportunities available through Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, by contacting the Extension office at 726-6323