Summer Internship Program: Chesterfield County

Primary Program Area Focus: 4-H

1. Describe your plans for this internship.  (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?

The intern will work primarily with the 4-H agent and 4-H Program Technician, but may also work with the ANR agent, Environmental Educator, and other members of the Chesterfield Cooperative Extension team to gain a better knowledge of the breadth of programming in Virginia Cooperative Extension.

4-H programming:

• Coordinate, plan and implement activities, camps, workshops, contests/expos

• Instruct classes and/or workshop(s) 

• Assist with Chesterfield Farmers Market programming efforts

• Market 4-H programs to community partners

• Assist in planning for Junior 4-H Camp (possibly attend as an adult chaperone)

• Complete a capstone project of their choosing based on needs of Chesterfield County

ANR programming:

• Assist ANR agent with various educational programming including participation at outreach events (Bumblebee Jamboree, well water clinics, and assist with Master Gardener efforts). 

Other:

• Learn about the work done by Soil and Water Conservation Districts

• Learn about the work done by Parks & Chesterfield Recreation

• Develop and implement programming based on intern’s interests 

• Other duties as necessary

   

2. Describe the knowledge / skills you expect the intern to gain from this experience.

  The intern will gain experience in marketing and communications; time management; public relations and customer service; youth development; designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs; and learn about VCE and Chesterfield County operations.

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

The Chesterfield Extension Office offers the intern the ability to see the work done in various programming areas of Extension, with a focus on 4-H programming. The intern will be exposed to programs that Extension offers in a suburban and rural setting in Virginia through individual and cross-collaborative work with extension agents. The intern will get hands-on experience working with the agents to see the various ways programs are delivered and offered. At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will complete a written project covering their experiences, knowledge gained, and skills enhanced.