LITTLE ROCK — In today’s job market, it’s important for college students to get hands-on training in their field before graduating. For students pursuing degrees in agriculture or family and consumer sciences, the County Extension Agent Internship program offers the chance to explore a career as an extension agent and network with peers and professionals.
The 10-week paid internship is a program of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Incoming college juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in agriculture, horticulture or family and consumer sciences are encouraged to apply. Applications close Jan. 5, 2024. Students can apply at bit.ly/ces-agent-internship-app.
Carla Due, extension Ouachita district director for the Division of Agriculture, said students selected for the internship program will experience the day-to-day duties of county extension agents.
“Where the county agent goes, so does the intern. They will experience fielding consumer questions, attending in-service trainings, assisting with educational programs and helping carry out 4-H youth events,” Due said. “Through these experiences, we hope that the students will have a greater understanding of what our county extension agents do and how they serve their communities.”
Interns will work with county agents in the areas of 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, agriculture and natural resources and community and economic development. When applying, students will list their top three county preferences, so they can work close to where they live. Housing is not provided by extension, but county faculty may be able to help interns find an affordable place to live.