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The 4-H Intern
Experience
It is critical that youth have the knowledge and skills to
be employed and can productively contribute to their community. Employability
has been defined as the capability of getting and keeping satisfactory work.
Yet, it is more than just getting a job. Employability is the capacity to
function successfully in a work environment, the ability to transition between
roles and situations and to continually grow these capacities and abilities
throughout one’s life.
While the majority of 4-H youth development work is conducted
with youth at the school age level, the 4-H program also provides an
opportunity for young adults. Through 4-H,
youth can engage in a wide variety of intentional learning experiences, develop
strong relationships and support networks, build a portfolio of transferrable
skills, and prepare for lifelong employability success. One way that 4-H
National Headquarters directly prepares youth with employability skills is
through the use of internships. Internships are a great way to provide youth
with hands-on experience to practice employability skills in a professional
setting.
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Pathways
Launched by an Executive Order in December 2010, the
Pathways Programs allow students or recent graduates to gain experience in the
Federal government.
Pathways has three components:
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Internship Program: paid internship for
students who are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an
accredited school from the high school to postgraduate level.
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Recent Graduates Program: dynamic, two-year
career development program for recent graduates who completed a qualifying
associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or
technical degree or certificate within the last two years. Veterans whose
military service obligations prevent them from applying within this period
have up to six years after degree or certificate completion to apply.
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Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program:
the premier two-year leadership training program for students who have
completed an advanced degree program.
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The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to
increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource
sciences and the related disciplines. The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
provides full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books and room and
board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor's
degree at select universities.
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Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP) applicants
must have completed their freshman year in college, have a 3.0 GPA or higher
and be enrolled in a degree program. All students who are eager for an
opportunity are encouraged to apply.
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Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) offers 10-12
week internships with various companies and organizations, which
include the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department
of Defense. Interns work in various locations across the
United States in state-of-the-art facilities conducting research
and/or contributing to the overall business enterprise.
TMCF interns work on challenging projects while attending career readiness
workshops and webinars and receive one-on-one coaching. All majors are welcome
to apply.
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Learn more
There are numerous opportunities for young adults to engage
with the 4-H program. From older teens to twenty-something’s, there is an
amazing experience waiting to be undertaken. Check out the Young Adult page on 4-H
National Headquarters website to learn more about these opportunities –
including 4-H leadership opportunities, service learning opportunities and
other federal internships opportunities, including a virtual internship program
hosted by the Department of State.
Our Challenge to You!
What are you doing to prepare youth for
employability? How are you promoting it? How is it impacting your program? Are
you making clear linkages to employability outcomes? The economic future of the
United States depends on the next generation of young Americans becoming ready
for work and life. Experiences in 4-H
are designed for social interactions, and to connect to larger, real world
contexts. This approach ensures that youth have the knowledge and skills to be
employed and can productively contribute to their community. Let’s tell the
story of how 4-H prepares youth for employability together. Send your 4-H
employability success stories to ImpactStories@nifa.usda.gov or #NIFAimpacts.
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture.
USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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Headquarters Contact Listing
Lisa A. Lauxman, Director llauxman@nifa.usda.gov | Jim Kahler jkahler@nifa.usda.gov
Amy McCune amccune@nifa.usda.gov | Douglas Swanson dswanson@nifa.usda.gov
Bonita Williams bwilliams@nifa.usda.gov | Bianca Johnson bjohnson@nifa.usda.gov
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