Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T Seeks Summer Interns

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 18, 2024) – College students looking for a meaningful way to spend their summer can get hands-on experience in agriculture and related fields through paid internships offered by Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Cooperative Extension aims to fill 15 internship positions that will be based at county Extension offices in Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson and Bladen counties in the eastern part of the state, Watauga, Yancey, Avery, Harnett, Alexander, Montgomery, Stanly and Scotland counties in the western region, and New Hanover, Union and Cabarrus in Extension’s new urban region.

“This enriching program offers students the chance to immerse themselves in various professional realms, including agriculture, community and rural development, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer sciences,” said Shameca Battle, regional extension director for the Eastern Region. “These interns contribute significantly to the success of our programs.”

The internships begin Tuesday, May 14, and last through Friday, July 26. Interns will work closely with county Extension agents and gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. For example, 4-H youth development interns might work with community groups to set up and deliver youth programs in 4-H clubs, summer camps and other settings.

Agriculture and natural resource interns might visit small farms for one-on-one consultations, or work with small and limited-resource farmers to solve problems related to animal and crop health, horticulture, farm management or natural resource management.

Community and rural development interns will work with Extension agents to offer programs in leadership development, community problem solving, and public engagement.

Interns in family and consumer sciences will assist Extension staff who work with limited-resource audiences delivering programs on nutrition, healthy lifestyles and budgeting.

“Some of our interns go on to have full-time careers with Cooperative Extension,” said Battle. “But whether it becomes a job or not, the experiences gained by our interns help them become compassionate, responsible adults ready to take on the challenges of the real world.”

Interested students can check out the linked job descriptions (a free Handshake account is needed) and are encouraged to call the host county Extension offices with questions.

• Horticulture/Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/8424323
• Community and Rural Development: https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/8343640
• Nutrition/ Family and Consumer Sciences: https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/8343401
• Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/5462225

Contact: Shameca Battle, regional extension director East, N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension, at ssbattle@ncat.edu and 336-285-4651 or 336-604-9328.