Opportunities with Extension

This community nutrition internship will provide an opportunity to engage in community nutrition education with the public and disaster preparedness. Our programs work in the community to help income-challenged individuals and families learn how to shop for and make nutritious meals and snacks, budget, access food resources, and improve physical activity, all for better health and quality of life. The 2025 summer intern will participate in the 3rd annual Climate Resiliency initiative in partnership with Danbury Farmers' Market Community Collaborative where the public will be given information and resources around climate resiliency and emergency preparedness. The intern will assist with program planning, implementation and evaluation of a variety of different venues including but not limited to: youth programming at summer camps, nutrition education classes at a community garden in partnership with a local health department, nutrition education classes for seniors and food pantry clients, as well as nutrition education for the public at farmers’ markets. The ideal candidate will be in pursuit of a health or nutrition field career, have prior experience working with youth, customer service experience and have an interest in food and/or gardening. This will be an ideal summer experience for a student planning to pursue a degree in nutrition or dietetics, apply for a dietetic internship, and/or plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Some flexibility is available to schedule hours around summer classes, other employment or travel. Some evening and weekend hours are anticipated. Weekly check-in meetings will be scheduled, typically between 9am-5pm, in conjunction with the supervisor and occur virtually or in-person.

Responsibilities and opportunities will include:

• working with adults and children
• assisting in planning, implementing and evaluating nutrition education and disaster readiness activities
• leading small and large groups in-person or virtually, with supervisor and staff support
• An intern working in the Fairfield County Extension office will work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the county Extension team. The Supervisor will meet with the intern, to monitor progress on projects and work with the intern to develop a meaningful internship plan with consideration to the intern’s career interests. The Supervisor will work with the intern to complete the required Learning Agreement, Mid-Summer Evaluation and End of Summer Evaluation. The Supervisor will also serve as instructor for the AGNR 3681 course and oversee completion of the course requirements. There may be an opportunity to network with other summer Extension interns and attend a career building workshop in Storrs.

Fairfield County Extension team members attended the national Extension Foundation Impact Collaborative Summit in partnership with a local farmers’ market director to coordinate a Climate Resiliency themed farmers’ market outreach day for the public in July 2023 and June 2024. https://publications.extension.uconn.edu/2024/09/03/second-annual-climate-resiliencyday-with-uconn-extension/ The events were successful with over 150 participants reached on-site at the farmers’ market with a theme of food waste and means of reducing our carbon footprint.

We would like to continue this partnership to offer a third annual Climate Resiliency themed day in summer 2025 to highlight food safety and emergency preparedness resources to the public. An intern will promote content from our EDEN network resources https://eden.uconn.edu/human-health-emergency-preparedness/

Supervisor: Heather Peracchio

Dates: May 19 - August 15, 2025

Location: Bethel, Connecticut

12 weeks total; Mondays 10am-4pm; Tuesdays 1pm-8pm; Wednesdays 9am-4pm (20 hours/week) x 10 weeks of programming, totaling 200 hours. 1 Saturday per month June, July, and August dates will be provided upon hire. 2 weeks of time off between May and August.

The intern will be actively involved with planning summer programs via the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and other nutrition programs conducted by the Extension Educator in Hartford County. One major program will be a hybrid (in person and virtual) experience for limited resource youth at Human Resources Agency (HRA) New Britain. HRA New Britain provides an intensive career exploration program to youth entering high school in the Fall and focusing on careers in food, fitness, healthcare, nutrition, and agriculture. The program runs daily July 8 - August 8. The intern will interact with youth on site at the program, assist with distribution of supplies, plan and present workshops on nutrition topics, and take photos of youth engaged in the program. The intern will also connect with youth on-line during the virtual component.

The intern will also participate in community health fairs held during the summer and other workshops at community sites. He/she will provide food and nutrition content of interest to diverse youth and adults via the EFNEP Facebook page and create other content for social media for these audiences. The intern will also gain experience in writing fact sheets on various nutrition related topics of interest to consumers. There is opportunity to attend virtual multidisciplinary Extension teams focusing on fitness and trails, 4-H youth development and nutrition and agriculture during this period. The student will gain mentorship from their direct supervisor, EFNEP Educators, and other Extension Educators in the Hartford County Extension Center.

This internship would be a good experience for an undergraduate in a nutrition or related field who would like exposure to community nutrition projects. The ideal candidate will be in a pursuit of a health or nutrition field, desire working with diverse youth and adult audiences, and have an interest in food or gardening. This will be an ideal summer experience for a student planning to pursue a degree in nutrition or dietetics, apply for a dietetic internship and/or plans to become a registered dietitian. The focus of the internship will be to explore career options within Extension in the areas of food and nutrition.

The intern will need his/her own transportation and will include travel to the Hartford County Extension office in Farmington and to various community sites.

Supervisor: Sherry Gray

Dates: June 2 - August 15, 2025

Location: Farmington

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 3 pm, 20 hours/week

UConn Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA; http://nrca.uconn.edu/) engages diverse teen and adult participants in natural resources conservation through place-based, experiential outdoor education, and facilitate community action through collaborative partnerships that contribute to local environmental solutions. The NRCA challenges traditional models of leadership, increases innovation and capacity to implement environmental solutions, and crosses age and ability boundaries to develop a more inclusive and equitable environmental sector. We are looking to further that mission by incorporating more undergraduate student leaders into the development and running of NRCA programs.

The Environmental Justice Education intern will contribute to four UConn NRCA community engagement programs that utilizes culturally sustaining pedagogical and curricular approaches to support and engage students from marginalized communities. The curriculum is focused on water science and justice. Three of the programs will be carried out in partnership with Upward Bound (UB) and one program will be carried out with NRCA's flagship program, the Conservation Ambassador Program (NRCA CAP). The Environmental Justice Education intern’s responsibilities will be to: 1) assist with developing hands-on field activities, lessons and materials for NRCA's Upward Bound Water Justice Curriculum (2-day lesson plan) utilizing culturally-sustaining pedagogy, 2) implement water justice education programing at 3 Upward Bound locations (Waterbury, Avery Point, Storrs) and during the NRCA CAP Field Experience, and 3) assist with implementing educational assessments and evaluations and processing participant evaluation data.

Supervisor: Laura Cisneros

Dates: May 12 - July 18, 2025

Location: Storrs

Work times will be scheduled based on program needs, typically between 8am-5pm. Some nights and weekends are required. Most weeks will consist of a 15-20 hour workweek.

Drone technology has become a powerful tool in environmental monitoring, providing precise and efficient data collection across diverse ecosystems. Equipped with advanced sensors such as LiDAR, multispectral, and thermal imaging, drones can assess forest growth and decline by capturing high-resolution imagery for vegetation health analysis and biomass estimation. During environmental disasters, they support first response efforts by delivering real-time aerial views to assess damage, locate hazards, and guide rescue operations in hard-to-reach areas. Drones are also widely used for monitoring water quality, tracking wildlife populations, mapping land-use changes, and detecting environmental hazards such as oil spills and illegal logging, making them essential for sustainable resource management and ecological conservation. This internship offers hands-on experience in drone technology for environmental monitoring, emphasizing instructional material development, flight proficiency assessments, stakeholder collaboration, program evaluation, and the creation of extension materials to promote the broader adoption of drone technology in natural resource management.

Task 0: Intern Training

The intern will receive one-on-one training in flight operations and have dedicated self-study time to become familiar with flight regulations and UConn drone policies. Training materials and learning resources will be provided by the mentor and partner stakeholders, including a licensed drone operator and commercial aircraft pilot with expertise in Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Additionally, the mentor will provide training on program development and evaluation methods to prepare the intern for their internship tasks.

Task 1: Development of Training Materials

The intern will support the creation of instructional materials for a multi-day workshop on drone technology. This will involve designing both theoretical content and practical exercises for the workshop to ensure participants gain knowledge and hands-on experience with drones in environmental monitoring.

Task 2: Flight Proficiency Assessments

The intern will assist in the practical side of the workshop, specifically with the assessment of flight proficiency. This will provide the intern an opportunity to understand the technical requirements for drone operation and to contribute to the evaluation process of participants’ ability to fly drones effectively.

Task 3: Collaboration with Stakeholders

The intern will work closely with a community stakeholder who is a commercial drone operator, as well as engage with a range of stakeholders, such as first responders, foresters, and land trusts, who are interested in adopting drone technology. The intern will participate in discussions and activities with these groups to ensure that the workshop is tailored to the needs of the audience.

Task 4: Program Evaluation

The intern will contribute to the development of pre- and post-questionnaires for program evaluations. This will help assess the outcomes of the workshops and the participants' learning experiences.

Task 5: Dissemination of Extension Outcomes

The intern will put together an extension factsheet that captures the role of drone technology within the field and will contribute to the initial drafts of an article for an extension journal, which will help disseminate insights from program implementation. These materials will be shared with the wider practitioner and extension communities, promoting the adoption of drone technology for environmental monitoring and disseminating effective practices for drone training. The intern will gain experience in writing professional publications for diverse audiences.

Supervisor: Mayra I. Rodríguez González

Dates: May 12 - August 15, 2025

Location: Farmington

The internship schedule averages 20 hours per week over a 9-10 week period, with work typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. Work hours will be coordinated with Dr. Rodriguez Gonzalez and may be adjusted based on program needs, such as drone flight sessions, stakeholder meetings, or other scheduled events, as well as the intern’s availability. Interns may work up to 8 hours per day but will not exceed 40 hours per week, with a total cap of 200 hours for the entire internship.

The intern will directly support the efforts of the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. They will assist with the receipt of samples, log sample and client information into our laboratory information management system (LIMS), PClinic, photograph samples and upload photos to PClinic, assist with sample triage and processing, including tissue dissection, tissue incubation in humid chambers, lateral flow assay analysis, and tissue culturing with the use of specialized media. The intern will work with Dr. Goltz to identify disease trends over the summer in preparation of a climate-focused presentation to be delivered by the intern at the 2025 Integrated Pest Management Seminar event.

The intern will practice and develop stakeholder engagement skills in collaboration with the staff at the UConn Home and Garden Education Center. Here, they will help respond to client inquiries regarding plant health and will support the development and dissemination of social media content that will promote our program and CAHNR at-large. Additionally, the intern will lead the development of at least one novel outreach item to highlight the programming of the Plant Diagnostic Lab and Plant and Soil Health Center. This may take the form of a video, podcast episode, game/interactive media, etc.

The intern will also provide Extension support in the form of organizing and assisting with the lab’s summer integrated pest management (IPM) seminar and will contribute to the writing/editing of Extension fact sheets related to plant disease and crop health. Using knowledge they develop over the course of the summer, the intern will prepare and present at the 2025 Integrated Pest Management Seminar event. The intern will support their presentation with data collected in the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab and partner New England Labs affiliated with the National Plant Diagnostic Network.

Supervisor: Nick Goltz

Dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025

Location: Storrs

10 weeks, $17.70/hr, 20 hours/week (preferred 10am-3pm Tue-Fri, but flexible according to applicant's schedule

The Fairfield County 4-H Intern will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of 4-H and UConn Extension programming, with opportunities to contribute to the planning, marketing, and implementation of a range of community-focused events and activities. Key responsibilities will include assisting with the organization and execution of signature programs such as the county dog show, the Fairfield County Fair, community-based special interest 4-H clubs, and UConn Extension’s Bug Week. In this capacity, the intern will collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure seamless event management, including coordinating logistics, promoting programs, and engaging participants. The intern will also play a role in assisting with data collection and feedback gathering for program evaluation purposes, helping to assess the impact and effectiveness of these events.

The intern will have opportunities to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including youth, families, volunteers, and community partners. They will support the development of educational materials and resources, contribute to community outreach efforts, and gain practical experience in event marketing and promotion through social media and other channels. This role will allow the intern to enhance their skills in public speaking, communication, and team collaboration, as well as provide exposure to teaching, program evaluation, and the implementation of positive youth development programs.

Throughout the internship, the intern will have access to numerous learning and growth opportunities. By working alongside experienced Extension professionals, the intern will deepen their understanding of the career paths available within Extension, particularly in positive youth development and community outreach. Special interest 4-H clubs and programs will be aligned with the intern's personal career interests, allowing them to tailor their experience to their academic and professional goals.

The intern will also be encouraged to engage in professional development opportunities, helping to expand their skill set in program planning, event management, and networking. Regular feedback from supervisor will provide structured guidance to foster growth and ensure a meaningful learning experience.

Note: Reliable transportation is required, as fieldwork will occur within Fairfield County, away from the extension office. The Fairfield County Extension Office will serve as the intern's primary base of operations.

Supervisor: Emily Picard

Dates: June 2 - July 31, 2025

Schedule will be based on program needs including some nights and weekend events including:

• 6/28/25 - Fairfield County 4-H Dog Show
• 7/12/25 - *Tentative* Fairfield County 4-H Fair
• 7/13-18/25 UConn Extension Bug Week

Typical weekly schedule:

• Monday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (6.5 Hours)
• Tuesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (6.5 Hours)
• Thursday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (7 Hours)

Most weeks will consist of a 15-20 hour workweek.

The New Haven County 4-H Program Intern will gain hands-on experience in delivering positive youth development programming while supporting diverse 4-H activities. Responsibilities will include creating and implementing educational workshops, developing marketing strategies, and engaging with youth participants. The specific projects in this role will be tailored to match the interests and career aspirations of the intern.

The Middlesex and New Haven County 4-H Fair planning and execution will be a key responsibility. This responsibility will include coordinating with committees, assisting in managing volunteer teams, and overseeing event logistics. Additionally, the New Haven County 4-H Program Intern will collaborate with 4-H staff on program evaluation and collect feedback to develop recommendations for future program enhancement.

Reliable transportation is preferred for this position to experience all aspects of 4-H program delivery. The Extension office is in North Haven; additional worksites will include community program sites and the Middlesex and New Haven 4-H Fair in Durham, CT.

Supervisor: Halie Shea

Dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025

Location: North Haven

Work times will be scheduled based on specific program needs. Some nights and weekend hours will be required including some hours within the weekend of the Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair, August 1-3, 2025. Typical work times will be between 8am- 5pm. Most weeks will consist of a 15-20 hour workweek. No single shift with exceed 8 hours and no work week will exceed 40 hours.

The Hartford County 4-H intern will have the opportunity to engage in various aspects of Hartford County 4-H programming. Activities will include engaging in UConn Extension 4-H programs to learn more about UConn Extension and 4-H Positive Youth Development, assisting with preparations for the annual 4-H Fair, marketing the 4-H program, creating and delivering 4-H educational programs.

The goal of this internship is to provide the intern with a broad experience in a variety of career skills associated with being a4-H Extension Educator. Some aspects of this internship may be adjusted to align with the intern's career interests and current skill set.

Reliable transportation is required as the position will be based out of the Hartford County Extension Office (Farmington) with time spent at program locations such as the annual Hartford County 4-H Fair in Somers, community program sites and the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm in Bloomfield.

Supervisor: Jen Cushman

Dates: June 2 - August 21, 2025

Location: Farmington

Work times will be scheduled based on program needs, typically between 8am-5pm. Some nights and weekends are required. Most weeks will consist of a 15-20 hour workweek.

4-H STEM mini-camps

- assist 4-H educator with development and facilitation of community based 4-H STEM outreach programs

- assist with research and development of activities to support community program needs

- assist with continuation of existing 4-H content and program delivery

County 4-H Fair

- assist 4-H educator with planning, data management and organizing materials necessary for delivery of county 4-H fair weekend County 4-H program

- assist 4-H educator with other ongoing program related tasks as needed

Supervisor: Marc Cournoyer

Dates: June 9 - August 15, 2025

Location: Norwich

Monday - Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm (approximately 4 hours per day, 5 days per week or other time breakdown as program and intern time needs dictate)