Agricultural and Extension Education Internships

Agricultural Communications (AGCOM) 495 Internship

Description

Agricultural Communications 495 (1-3 credits). Supervised field experiences related to student's professional interest in agricultural communications.

Prerequisites

A grade of C or better in Comm 260W and prior approval of the internship coordinator.

Content Outline

The learning experience is based on a proposed experiential plan of work developed between the student and employer and agreed to by the internship coordinator prior to the beginning of the internship experience.

During the internship, the student is expected to:

• Complete the tasks and activities outlined in the internship plan of work, including maintaining a portfolio of writing completed on-the-job.
• Conform with the normal working hours of the cooperating firm or volunteer agency, including overtime when requested.
• Work the expected number of hours per week for the assigned number of weeks agreed to with the cooperating firm or volunteer agency.
• Support the employer, keep the employer's business confidential, and work for the employer's best interest.
• Request prior permission from both the employer and the internship coordinator for any leave.
• Submit mid-experience and final reports as mutually agreed to in the internship plan of work.

Instructional Objectives

This cooperative educational experience is an agreement between students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and mutually approved employers who provide instruction and facilities that help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed in this area of professional interest.

Course objectives are:

• To pursue realistic and relevant experiences in agricultural communications professions.
• To establish career goals related to their specific interests and professional aspirations in agricultural communications.
• To prepare for employment in agricultural communications professions.
• To gain an understanding of the relationship between classroom theory and practical application.
• To develop professional work habits.
• To test career objectives realistically.
• To become acquainted with people employed in agricultural communications professions.
• To retain student status while learning on the job.

Evaluation Methods

Each student prepares an "Internship Program Plan" prior to beginning the field experience to which the cooperating agency representative and internship coordinator agree. This plan specifies learning objectives, which are based on the course objectives. In addition, the student submits mid-experience and final reports, discussing the internship experience in terms of the learning objectives specified. In addition, the supervisor of the cooperating agency indicates the level of professional behavior and skills of the student during the internship.

Grade

The student's final letter grade is based on:

20% Internship Plan
20% Mid-Experience Report
20% Final Report
40% Employer Evaluation

AGCOM 495 is offered each semester.