Student Internships in Extension: Strategies for Success for the Agent and the Student

The Extension internship provides a valuable learning experience for the agent and the intern. The intern receives a lesson in "real-world-learning"; for many agents, supervising an intern is an opportunity to update their knowledge and skills. Too often the intern and the agent are not a good match, leaving both parties dissatisfied and disappointed. This article offers three perspectives of the internship experience, that of the agent, the intern, and campus supervisor. We offer suggestions for strategies agents can use to enhance the internship experience for all involved and remind the reader that internships are an excellent recruiting tool.