Friday, January 5, 2018

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Friday, January 5, 2018

Skills-head profile

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. 


Quote from Kristen Brooks

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: 

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program: the premier two-year leadership training program for students who have completed an advanced degree program.

Quote from Cedrick Morales

1890 Scholar

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. 


HACU

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.

Quote from Juliana Funkhouser

Quote from Joann Ransom

TMCF

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.


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.


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.


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