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Students will work in a dynamic environment to design and support hands-on learning experiences with youth. The 4-H Youth Development Intern will assist a 4-H Agent in a variety of settings and activities, including workshops, camps, horse shows, state conferences, contest coaching, community service projects, program planning and mentoring. This experience is intended to give motivated, service-oriented students a glimpse into the non-formal education world of Extension.

Qualifications

1. Minimum qualifications: Rising juniors and seniors from LSU and partner institutions majoring in Education, Social Sciences or Agriculture with at least a 2.5 GPA are most competitive. Second-year students with a minimum 2.5 GPA are also eligible and encouraged to apply. Desire to work with youth.
2. Preferred qualifications: Desire to serve others and interest in people; ability to lead, teach and motivate effectively; experience with volunteers and youth; experience working with youth and volunteers; good organization and planning skills demonstrating effective project coordination; strong oral and written communication skills; an interest in program development
3. Physical qualifications: Have reliable transportation; ability to work some weekends; ability to work at night

Primary Contact/Advisor

Bethany Corona

Maximum Interns Needed: 1

Week 1

Daily Contact: Local 4-H Agent and Parish Chair
Location: Ouachita Extension Office
Primary Tasks:

• Review virtual workshops on positive youth development, Louisiana 4-H programs, volunteerism, service-learning, and other topics recommended for new agents.
• Review and sign a code of conduct and professionalism.
• Participate in field trips related to 4-H Youth Development.
• Apply the seminar information to their future assignment.
• Submit a one page resume.
• Meet with their mentor for a customized plan.

Week 2-9:

Daily Contact: Local 4-H Agent
Location: Statewide
Primary Tasks:

• Identify customized internship goals with their mentor.
• Get acquainted with the parish faculty/staff members and their function in the Extension office.
• Discuss the relationship between the advisory committee process and program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Identify and meet with four key agencies and organizations within the community that partner with the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Attend at least four different types of meetings and analyze the leadership practices utilized within the meetings.
• Observe the parish 4-H Agent in three different types of settings and analyze the interactions.
• Meet with parish stakeholders to understand their relationship with Cooperative Extension and the 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Participate in community meetings related to the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Present an educational program to a group of 4-H members.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a 4-H Youth Development Program related to an identified need.
• Coach youth in preparation for 4-H University contests.
• Serve as a chaperone for 4-H University and carry out duties assigned during 4-H University.
• Develop three mass media articles/posts for print, radio, or social media outlets.
• Make preparations for 4-H Summer Camp, if applicable.
• Serve as a chaperone for 4-H Summer Camp and carry out duties assigned during 4-H Summer Camp.
• Design and implement a volunteer recruitment strategy.
• Receive and handle at least four different types of assistance requests.
• Prepare for and meet weekly with the mentor on accomplishments, what has been learned, where they need help, and future plans.

Week 10:

Daily Contact: Local 4-H Agent
Location: Statewide
Primary Tasks:

• Attend an Exit Internship Seminar.
• Participate in a reflective discussion on their internship experience.
• Present their 4-H educational program to the internship group.
• Modify their resume based on their internship experience.
• Complete an exit interview with the professor and mentor.

Success Measures:

• Interns will meet every 2 weeks with Christina Hebert for a brief evaluation of the internship experience. During the evaluation, interns will discuss what they have accomplished, identify where they need assistance, share future plans, and reflect upon the overall experience.
• Complete course assignments including parish profile, leadership practices analyzation,
• Extension service personnel interaction report, media releases, educational program presentation, volunteer recruitment, and stakeholder interviews.
• Each mentor will evaluate the intern’s performance based on pre- determined criteria.
• Completion of AEEE 3010: Extension Internship Course with a C or higher, if applicable.