Workforce Development & Extension Internships
Applications are now Open for cohort 2023!
Application Deadline has been extended to March 28, 2023
Download the 2023 Internship Announcement to learn more.
Workforce Development Extension Internship Cohort 2022
Learn More
Creating Leadership and Professional Development Through Extension Internships, Summer 2023
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) is seeking undergraduate student applicants interested in careers in agriculture. Multiple students will be selected for this ten-week full-time internship, which includes a competitive salary and opportunities to interact with agricultural leaders and Extension specialists. Interns will participate in an experiential learning and professional development opportunity while exploring Extension careers, applied research, and non-formal education outreach. Interns will be placed at one of the State's Extension Offices or Research and Education Centers (REC). Interns will come together as a cohort for weekly virtual professional development sessions, an overnight University of Maryland College Park tour, in-person leadership training, and the annual end of internship celebration. The remainder of the time, the interns will work with their personal UME faculty Mentor and supervisor. Work location varies depending on your projects. Expect to work at your assigned UME office or Research & Education Center, in research or meeting locations, and virtually (telework days). Interns are expected to attend virtual pre-internship training sessions before the internship start date on 5/30/2023.
Interns will:
● Work one-on-one with a UME faculty mentor ● Gain hands-on experience through professional development and Extension activities ● Work on research projects and non-formal educational programming ● Have the opportunity to engage with leaders in the agricultural community ● Explore professional development topics and the eight core competencies of career readiness ● Visit University of Maryland, College Park campus Extension and Research Center ● Gain leadership skills with LEAD Maryland Foundation Inc. ● Earn credit hours (eligibility specific to your university)
Ideal applicants are: ● Interested in exploring and/or pursuing an Extension career, or a career in agriculture and related fields. ● Excited about the opportunity to work with a mentor. ● Able to communicate effectively and learn experientially ● Motivated to continue learning and growing professionally ● Need to be challenged, professionally and personally ● A team oriented person who is curious to learn all aspects of Extension Applicant must: ● Be enrolled full-time at an accredited professional certification program, two-year or four-year college or university ● Have sophomore or junior status at the time of application * if enrolled in a four- year institution ● Have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale ● Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident ● Be a licensed driver with their own reliable transportation ● Major in agricultural, environmental, natural resources, food science, nutritional science, biology, geology, geography, or related STEM fields
To Apply:
1. Identify up to four Extension or REC locations within commuting distance of your home.
2. Identify one or more focus areas you are interested in exploring: Animal Science, Farm & Agribusiness, Fruit & Vegetable Production, General Agriculture, Ornamental Horticulture, Row Crop & Forage Production, Urban Agriculture. Learn more about Extension programs Here
3. Complete the Online Application
4. Submit along with your application (send supporting documents to andrea1@umd.edu
● A cover letter: include your personal goals and career goals. (do not exceed 1000 words) ● A supplemental essay expressing your interest in an Extension, agriculture or natural resource career (do not exceed 1000 words) ● Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) ● A PDF version of your unofficial transcript(s) reflecting all earned undergraduate credits and grades through December 2022 ● Two Letters of recommendation from your current institution or from a previous and related job or internship ● An individual photograph (to share in the opening program) * Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
Compensation: Interns will be paid $15.00 an hour for a 40-hour work week. Sick leave and any vacation leave will not be compensated. Vacation leave will need to be approved by your mentor and the District Director. Deadline to Apply: 11:59 pm March 28th, 2023 Interns will be notified of their application status early April, 2023 Pre-internship sessions will begin late April (optional live via Zoom or self paced) This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Volunteer appointment, re-appointment, and continued appointment are contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.
Program Contact
Shannon Dill, Extension Educator - AgFS 410-822-1244 | sdill@umd.edu
Andrea Franchini, Program Coordinator 410-856-1850 x126 | andrea1@umd.edu
University of Maryland
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Extension Internships
Creating Leadership and Professional Development Through Extension Internships, Summer 2022
Ms. Shannon Dill, Principal Agent, University of Maryland
First Cohort Selected For ‘Creating Leadership Through Extension Internships, Summer 2022.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The University of Maryland Extension received a grant on April 15, 2021. The grant was endowed by the United States Department of Agriculture and sponsored by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant was endowed to create a meaningful summer internship program for students at underserved institutions, community colleges, or non-Land Grant institutions to gain technical skills and train a future agricultural workforce. Interns must be degree seeking undergraduate students from two year and four year institutions who may not otherwise be exposed to the field of extension.
Seven interns have been selected to participate in a ten week internship program where they will be paired with competent University of Maryland Extension faculty mentors working within their field(s) of interest. The interns selected this year represent colleges across Maryland including St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland, University of Maryland College Park, Morgan State University, College of Southern Maryland, and Salisbury University.
The internship will begin May 31st with the curriculum focusing on workforce development and applied research at University of Maryland Extension offices and Research and Education Centers across the state. Participating interns will gain hands-on experience in Extension activities and participate in leadership and professional development training addressing the eight core competencies in career readiness. Along with professional development and one-on-one pairing with a faculty mentor, interns have networking opportunities with private industry professionals.
As part of the ten week program students will visit the University of Maryland campus to talk with educators and researchers across a variety of agricultural disciplines, and to participate in an in person leadership training with LEAD Maryland and the University’s Maryland Leadership Education and Development Program. The internship will close with an annual event hosted by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Students will leave this internship with tools and Extension connections to further a career in agriculture.
This program will continue for five years with seven students selected per year, Extension faculty mentors will also change year to year. This training builds University of Maryland Extension’s capacity and extends beyond this project as faculty develops skills to mentor new hires and junior faculty.
To stay up to date with the interns visit our website at: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/workforce-development-extension-internships
Program Contacts
Shannon Dill, Extension Educator - AgFS
410-822-1244 | sdill@umd.edu
Andrea Franchini, Program Coordinator
410-856-1850 x126 | andrea1@umd.edu
Ms. Shannon Dill, PI, is the Project Director and oversees the entire project. Co-PI’s include Dr. Nicole Fiorellino, Dr. Sarah Potts, and Dr. Alan Leslie. The project runs from April 15, 2021, to April 14, 2026.
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, AFRI Competitive Grant Workforce Development, project MD-UME-09312.
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
Los programas, actividades e instalaciones de la universidad están disponibles para todos sin distinción de raza, color, sexo, identidad o expresión de género, orientación sexual, estado civil, edad, origen nacional, afiliación política, discapacidad física o mental, religión, estado de veterano protegido, información genética, apariencia personal o cualquier otra clase legalmente protegida.