Creating Opportunities Through an Experiential, Community-Based Cooperative Extension Internship Program

Abstract

Extension is positioned to develop and implement high-quality, high-impact internship experiences for college students in local communities. The creation of the Rising Star Internship program arose from interest in providing experiential work opportunities for Iowa State University students coupled with the organizational goals of promoting awareness of Cooperative Extension and increasing interest in employability within Extension. The program provides a paid county-level summer internship with several unique elements. Evidence collected from student participants suggests that it is a mutually beneficial endeavor for Extension, students, and communities. Extension systems may desire to replicate these efforts if they share similar ambitions.

Youth engagement in ecological restoration

“…Relationship‐based organizations focused on conducting stakeholder‐driven research and providing outreach and education to stakeholder groups and local communities such as 'Imo Pono No Ka 'Āina (Hawai'i), Grand Canyon Trust Rising Leaders (Arizona), and Cooperative Extension (CE) offer unique opportunities for youth engagement in restoration (Gornish & Roche 2018). The Rising Star Internship program focused on promoting awareness of CE through community activities, increasing interest in employment with CE, and benefiting students through providing leadership opportunities and networking (Sellers et al 2021). These programs largely benefit the involved students by exposing them to a number of facets related to land management and restoration while offering opportunities for professional development.…”

“…Field crews may be involved in various projects including non-native species removal, desert restoration, tree planting, and trail maintenance. (Sellers et al 2021). These programs largely benefit the involved students by exposing them to a number of facets related to land management and restoration while offering opportunities for professional development.…”