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Agricultural Communication & Journalism Internships

Category: Extension

Making the Best Better—My Internship with K-State Research and Extension – Katie Harbert

Posted on by kjburke
Katie Harbert (left) during her Extension internship in 2018

In summer 2018, I worked as a communications intern in the Kingman County K-State Research and Extension office. I heard about this internship through a connection with one of the extension agents. They had changed a full-time program assistant to a summer-only position, providing extra assistance in communication and outreach programs during the busiest time of the year. Never having been in 4-H, I was apprehensive about the job, fearing that my lack of knowledge of the organization would affect my performance. However, I decided to take the leap and use the internship as an opportunity to learn more about 4-H and extension.  

As the communications intern, I was able to create graphics for social media posts, design flyers for community outreach programs and assist with seasonal projects in the office. Doing such a wide variety of tasks, I learned how to apply concepts from the classroom in real-world situations. I also gained valuable experience in working in a full-time job environment. My biggest area of growth throughout this internship was in professionalism. Only having part-time jobs in the past, I had never experienced many of the new responsibilities that come with working full-time.I learned that no matter how skilled I may think I am in a certain area, there is always room for improvement. Through this opportunity, I was able to expand my knowledge in how to present myself in a professional manner and learn from my coworkers.

County fair week was definitely the most exciting week of my internship, and also my favorite. Despite the late nights and early mornings, watching 4-Hers proudly show off the projects they spent all summer creating and finally bringing the livestock they have worked with for months into the show ring is always worth the stress that comes with the fair. Seeing the months of planning and preparing for the fair come to fruition is a highly rewarding experience. I also enjoy having people from all across the county coming together to look at the exhibits, participate in the food and livestock auctions and come to the community-wide events throughout the fair.

With my favorite part of my internship also comes my least favorite. With the vast array of events all happening at the same time during the fair, unexpected turns of events and problems are bound to arise. Handling these situations involves thinking of solutions on the spot, a skill that I am not strong in. Although this was challenging, learning to find quick resolutions and being willing to accept changes in plans were valuable lessons that I will use in any career. 

Through this internship, I have realized my passion for extension and plan on applying this experience to my career plans through the possibility of working as an extension agent in the future. I would recommend this internship to any students, regardless of a background in 4-H, who are looking for an exciting, fast-paced internship where no day is the same. Students interested in extension work can apply for similar internships, which typically run May through August, through the K-State Research and Extension Intern Program.

Department of Entomology at K-State – Kelsie Beaudoin 

Posted on by kmtully

 

Last spring I interned with the department of Entomology at K-State. While I was there it was my job to bring more attention to the program. I helped with the communications side of the department, as well as any office tasks that needed done. A few of my primary responsibilities were writing & editing weekly spotlight articles, and updating the departments social media accounts. I also had the opportunity to help with the K-State Extension Newsletter, and working on different designs for the departments yearly newsletter.

My favorite part about my internship was writing the spotlight articles. I thought they were very fun. This allowed me to meet new people and bring the students and staff together. It was a great way for everyone to get to know each other outside of school. I also enjoyed updating the social media accounts. I posted weekly jokes to gain more followers for the department. I enjoyed my internship, however I wish it went more in depth with different aspects of communications, such as more writing and design projects.

During my internship I learned that doing things out of your comfort zone is very rewarding. I never expected that something so different from my major could open as many doors as it has. I learned that writing articles and interviewing people is a great way to get to know them. One big thing I learned was that helping others is rewarding no matter the task.

This internship was a good way to touch all of the bases in the communications field. I would recommend it to anyone passionate about communications, but are looking for something out of their comfort zone. The location was wonderful and it was very flexible with my schedule. I not only gained knowledge that will help me with my career path, but even more so about entomology and how important it is to be knowledgeable in as many subjects as possible.

Ringel Farms- Sarah Krehbiel

Posted on by kmtully

I interned with Ringel Farms out of Alma, Kansas this past summer. They grow grass fed beef, pastured pork, and chickens. They marketed their products at the Downtown Topeka Farmers Markets throughout the spring and summer. They also have a website. My duties were to create a brochure about their farm and products, create a monthly (which ended up being bimonthly) newsletter, keep their Facebook page up to date, and various other promotional posters. I learned about this internship through an email from the ACJ department. To apply next year, there will be an email sent out through the department next spring.

My favorite part about this internship was attending farmers markets and interacting with the consumers. My least favorite part of this internship was that it was unpaid, however the internship was remote, so I was able to live at home and work with them via email and phone calls.

I learned that you have to be extremely clear and concise when promoting agriculture to the public. My biggest growth is being able to better convey a clear, concise and truthful message about agriculture to consumers, farmers, and ranchers.

I plan to have a pick-your-own vegetable farm with my sister next summer. Our main goal is to educate the public about agriculture and where their food comes from and how it is raised. This internship has showed me how to better educate the public and even farmers and ranchers, on agriculture and promoting agriculture. It has showed me just how important it is to educate the public!

This internship is not just for any individual. Ringel Farms is looking for an individual that can help them better implement agricultural communications to promote and disseminate their products. At the end of the internship, I realize more than before, how very important it is to convey a truthful message about agriculture not only to the public but also to the farmers and ranchers.

Kansas 4-H Foundation Intern- Janae McKinney

Posted on by kmtully

As a freshman it was a bit of a struggle to find an internship which was welcoming and inviting to underclassmen. However, I found my perfect fit at the Kansas 4-H Foundation where I worked with two other interns, Mikey Hughes and Ben Yarnell. I started in April, where I tried to help complete as many projects as possible before I left on my Italy study abroad trip. In May, I would be gone in the thick of the foundation’s event planning. Luckily my trip finished just two days before the first event I helped with, the 4-H Emerald Circle Banquet.

I had attendee the banquet before but I had never seen the ins-and-outs of the operation. After helping with both the banquet and Friends of 4-H Day, I discovered my passion for event planning which has led me to dual-major in Hospitality Management and Agricultural Communications.

Throughout the summer I was able to work well with different mentors in various areas of the foundation. I started with events, completed writing and press releases, made donor contacts and finished the summer with a well-rounded experience. I loved getting to dabble in multiple areas of communication and work with a team. Coming to work and catching up with everyone in the office was always fun.

I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in communications, agricultural or otherwise. This internship would also work well for a person with a background in 4-H since I worked with 4-H projects and donors all summer. For a first-time interning opportunity, I loved getting to see how a great team works together and communicates effectively. It created a high standard of a working environment for me to work in one day.

One size does not fit all when it comes to internships – Kenzie Curran

Posted on by Courtney Boman

This summer, I had the opportunity of serving as the Neosho County Extension intern in Erie, Kansas. Neosho County is part of the Southwind district along with two other counties. From May to August, I gained exposure to all aspects of an extension program. This experience allowed me to learn about the different roles within a district and discover my interest in working in extension. As an intern I got to take on many responsibilities of my own, including planning and hosting a district-wide event. Additionally, I was able to design flyers and promotional materials, assist with county and district events and help coordinate the Neosho County Fair.

My biggest accomplishment was the event I coordinated. It was incredible to see the positive reaction to my barn quilt painting workshop. From choosing my event, to picking a date and designing and distributing a flyer, to getting all the supplies and materials ready for the big night. At first, I was very nervous that I would be doing this with little to no assistance, but once I pulled it off, it was very rewarding. It was my favorite and most challenging but fun thing I did during my internship.

While there were a lot of fun and new components to being an extension intern, there were also times that were not quite as exciting as others. One of those times was when I was in charge of the bucket calf show during the fair and, again, pretty nervous to handle it on my own. I read the wrong sheet of names to come into the arena and there were some pretty upset parents. Luckily, my supervisor defended me and diffused the situation.

All I can say is if you think you are interested in extension in any way, you are going to want to have some experience before you make the decision. I was not all that sure it was something I wanted to do for a career, but thought parts of it sounded fun. I’m so glad I did this internship because now I know that, even though there are parts of being an extension agent that aren’t as fun, it’s all important and I want to be the one doing it.

I found this particular position by contacting the office directly. However, similar internships in other counties are sometimes listed with Kansas State University. Students can apply through K-State and be place in a county if chosen. I hope more offices advertise with K-State in the future, because young people should not miss out on these opportunities.