The Value of Interns: Learning, Growing, and Expanding Our Reach
Kaitlyn P., Community Health & Wellness Agent
Since beginning my career with K-State Extension in 2009, I have had the opportunity to work with more than 30 student interns. When I recently started trying to remember the names and years of every intern I have worked with, I stopped counting at 30—and it is likely I missed a few along the way.
Each intern has brought something unique to our team. Interns enrich our work, broaden the scope of what we can accomplish, and increase our Extension team’s capacity and reach. By my rough estimate, interns have helped us reach more than 10,000 contacts in Douglas County since I joined the team in 2013.
Serving a community with multiple academic institutions gives our office the opportunity to connect with college students eager to learn, gain professional experience, and better understand K-State Extension's role in the community. Over my 17 years with K-State Extension, I have come to truly appreciate working with interns, and I am confident that I gain just as much from the experience as they do.
One of the things I value most is the fresh perspective interns bring to our work. They often introduce new technology, current research, and innovative ideas that challenge us to think differently and help our team stay relevant. Our interns have come from a variety of degree programs, including community health, dietetics, exercise science, education, and agriculture. Over the years, interns I have mentored have led youth outreach programs, taught nutrition education classes, conducted research projects, supported community events, and contributed in countless other ways.
Each internship includes several goals for the student. Program development and evaluation, communication, teamwork, time management, and volunteer development are just a few of the skills we work to strengthen throughout an internship. Just as importantly, I hope interns gain a better understanding of the flexibility, creativity, and responsiveness required in Extension work.
A past community health intern, Sofia Diaz Buezo, current Nutrition Extension Agent EFNEP in Shawnee County shared, “During my dietetic internship, I got the opportunity to have a selective rotation in an area I wanted more experience in or was interested in exploring — and found it in community nutrition. This opportunity boosted my confidence in teaching nutrition classes and leading community lessons. Beyond classroom teaching, I attended coalition meetings that showed me the importance and the power of collaborative work in creating meaningful changes for the community.
Today, I get to say that I have worked as a nutrition educator myself and currently supervise three educators for the EFNEP program at K-State Extension. My work also extends to public health coalitions, where I collaborate with organizations to shape policies and sustainability initiatives that strengthen our community.”
Current community health intern, Megan Hoover, shared, “During my dietetic internship with the K-State Extension, Kaitlyn Peine served as my preceptor for 8 weeks. I gained valuable experience through teaching cooking and nutrition classes, developing health kits for the local library, and volunteering with a local food pantry. My time with Extension gave me a deeper appreciation for the impact of community nutrition programs and the important role they play in supporting the health and well-being of the community. This experience has inspired me to carry this passion for nutrition education into my future career.”
Looking back over the years, I am grateful for the many students who have spent time on our Extension team. They have contributed to our programs, challenged us to grow, and reminded us of the importance of investing in the next generation of professionals. Working with interns is not simply about providing students with an internship, it is an opportunity for all of us to learn, grow, and strengthen the work we do in our communities.