Renewing the Commitment National Extension and Research Administrative Officers’ Conference 2012

EXTENSION INTERN PROGRAMS  Stacey M. Warner Kansas State University Extension Operations  Martha W. Thompson University of Kentucky Extension Personnel

Internships vs A Summer Job

Internship Definition  Experiential learning  Integration of knowledge and theory from classroom  Practical application in a professional setting  Students make connections in professional fields  Employers guide and evaluate talent from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

From Intern to Professional  Employers converted 58.6 percent of their Class of 2011 interns into full-time hires, according to results of NACE’s 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey.  All-time high since NACE began reporting conversion rates in the early part of the century, and up from the previous high— 57.7 percent—reported in last year’s survey.

Journal of Extension : “The Extension internship provides a valuable learning experience for the agent and the intern. The intern receives a lesson in “real-world learning”; for many agents supervising an intern is an opportunity to update their knowledge and skills.” Wilken, C., Williams, B., Cadavieco, N., Walker, K., (Aug 2008)

Purpose  Interns – Link classroom and work  Host agents – Expand programming  Extension administration – Develop applicant pool

K-State Research and Extension Internships

Overview  22 years  6 to 10 interns per summer  Paid internship, no college credit  Cost shared by local office and administration  Youth development programming  30% of time on major project

Steps  Recruiting  Selection  Preparation  Orientation  Connection  Feedback

Recruiting Applicants  Career fairs  Former interns  Agents  University web sites  Advisors  Student organizations

Selection of Local Offices  Proposal prepared  Area director approval

Selection of Interns  All applicants interviewed  Interviews videotaped  Top 12 to 15 selected  Video and applicant materials sent to host agent  Agent selects top 5 choices  Offers made to applicants

Preparation for Interns  News releases  Conference call for host agents  Housing located by host agents  Host office prepares for intern

Intern Orientation  First day of internship  On campus  8:00 am to 3:00 pm  Overview of organization  Overview of summer internship  Former interns present  Lunch with administrative team

Intern Learning  Program guide with objectives  Major project  Other activities

Connections  Blog  Mid-summer meeting  End-of-summer review  Program guide

Feedback

Start all over again!

Outcomes  31 % of interns have been hired  50% of interns rated experience great  50% of interns rated experience good  54% of agents rated very successful  36% of agents rated moderately successful  9% rated neutral

University of Kentucky Extension Internships

Overview  43 years  35 to 40 interns per summer  Paid internship & college credit  Cost paid by local office, office of diversity and departments

Overview  12 weeks typical  County & State assignments  Primary and secondary assignments  Special project  Orientation and Roundup

Steps  Recruiting  Selection & Placement  Orientation  Connection  Roundup  Follow-up

Recruiting Applicants  Mid-October through mid-May  Faculty/Advisor s  Word of mouth  Classroom visits to targeted groups  Student Organizations  Career Fairs  University Web Sites

Selection & Placement  190 applicants  Interviewed 130 – 140  Allow intern repetition  SelectionPlacement

Intern Orientation  On campus – Interns and Intern Supervisors  1:00 am to 4:00 pm  Overview of expectations  Former interns present  Overview of Extension / Tips for Supervisors  Complete employment paperwork

Connection  2-page narrative reports  Facebook Group  Administrative visits

Roundup  Interns and administration  Agri-business tour & lunch  Small group focus  Process learning  Evaluation

Follow-up  Supervisor evaluations  list for vacancy announcements

Outcomes  70 – 75 % rank internship excellent  22 – 25% rank internship good  25% of current agents were interns  50% minority agents were interns  96% of current agents who were interns say the internship is why they are agents

Our Websites  University of Kentucky  Kansas State University