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Student interns play a big role in Extension this summerNebraska Kimberly Behrends didn't expect her University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension career to begin so soon. The sophomore animal science major from Jansen began working right away when she joined the UNL Extension staff as an intern in Thayer and Nuckolls counties in May. "It was a little nerve-racking," Behrends said. "I was really intimidated when I came in." On just her second day, Behrends led a half-hour PowerPoint presentation for a leadership clinic and spoke with a local community leadership program on graduation day. "She gave a really nice presentation on the second day of the job," said Phyllis Schoenholz, Behrends' supervisor for the summer and an Extension educator in Thayer and Nuckolls counties. UNL Extension's internship program begins in May and lasts 12 weeks while interns are situated and supervised in a county Extension office. The paid internship typically is available for undergraduate students completing their sophomore or junior year and to graduate students. Keith Niemann, director of UNL Extension human resources, said the intern program benefits all parties involved. "It's important from an Extension standpoint because it provides us with an opportunity to find potential applicants for the future," he said. "It also provides those interns with the opportunity to see more of what Extension does. Rather than a small piece, they can see the whole breadth of Extension." One of the most important aspects of the internship program is being immersed in a different community. Kalli Estes, a junior agricultural business major at UNL from Anselmo and intern in Frontier County, said her responsibilities have included planning and designing day camps for 4-Hers. She said a lot of her work revolves around her shadowing her supervisor and getting to know people in the community. "It's always different going to another community," Estes said. "You want to make a good impression and learn to serve and help them out with their specific needs, which is always a rewarding element of a job. "It's been a great experience. As a child I was always involved in 4-H, which is just one part of Extension. It's been exciting to be on the other side of things and help 4-Hers learn new life skills just as I once did in the program." Barbara Scharf, Estes' supervisor and Extension educator in Frontier County, said Estes has become an integral part of the office and the community. She said Estes has written press releases, recorded public service announcements for the radio and conducted workshops to help educate the community. "Kalli has met many people from the community," Scharf said. "With her enthusiasm, she has been well received, and I'm proud to have her here." UNL students aren't the only interns working in Extension. Sarah Hobbie, a senior horticulture and speech double major from Dunbar, attends Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo., but works in Gage County as an Extension intern this summer. She said she applied to be an intern because of her background in Nebraska 4-H and her desire to someday get a job in Extension. "I hope to get a job in the field," Hobbie said. "I've been in 4-H for 11 years, and I want to keep 4-H going in Nebraska or wherever I might get a job." Hobbie's supervisor for the summer, Gage County Extension educator Paul Hay, said the real-life experiences gained from the internship will last Hobbie her entire life. "All of the sudden you're facing someone across the counter," Hay said, "and you've got to learn to provide a practical answer for them. Those kinds of experiences are valuable." Sarah Purcell, Extension educator in Otoe County, agrees. "Being an Extension intern allows the college student to see what coming to work is like on a daily basis," she said. "It gives them a feel for what are the day-to-day challenges and surprises for an Extension educator, plus the day-to-day fun." Purcell's intern for the summer is Melissa Pearman, a UNL senior family science major from Mullen. Pearman, like many other Extension interns, pursued an internship because she is interested in having a career in Extension. "I want to work in Extension. That's my ultimate goal," she said. "(The internship) gives me a step up above other people. I grew up around Extension and this will help give me a more competitive edge." Pearman's mother, Susan Pearman, is an Extension educator in the Central Sandhills Area. With a whole summer of training and integration with Nebraska communities, the interns can see what Extension educators do and the role they play in Nebraska. "Every day is different in Extension," Scharf said. "Through the challenges and new opportunities, interns have a first-hand experience of how Extension really works. I've been fortunate to have past interns and I'm really supportive of the program. I believe it's critical to the future of Extension and can have a very positive impact in Nebraska." UNL Extension and Nebraska 4-H are part of the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 8/18/08 Date: 8/12/08 Advertisement
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