Department of Agricultural Education & Studies

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Graduate Programs: Greg Miller 515-294-2583 / Undergraduate Programs: Mike Retallick 515-294-4810

Internships

The AGEDS department offers learning related to career preparation outside of the classroom. These opportunities consist of Early Field-based Experiences (EFE) and internships. EFE or internships are great ways for both employer and student to learn more about each other in a work environment. An internship on your resume signals to a prospective employer that you have had exposure in a work setting. Each year, more and more companies hire employees from their internship pool because of this kind of experience. Every student in the AGEDS Department is encouraged to participate in at least one internship. Students who are not involved in an internship experience while at ISU are missing a great opportunity AND an advantage in job seeking. Internships and EFEs focus on the student's learning experience, not their work experience. Students earn credit based on documentation and reflection of their learning experiences. Students do not receive credit for work experience; your grade is based on the portfolio you are required to turn in following your experience. AgEdS 211 is required and must be completed before any student is allowed to participate in AgEdS 412/418 and AgEdS 416/417. Guidelines for course requirements can be found in the manuals posted below.

All questions and inquiries should be directed to Dr. Brown. Your academic advisor is familiar with the EFE process. Dr. Brown supervises these experiences and can provide the most detailed information.

Dr. Sorrel Brown Professional Internship Supervisor Agricultural Education & Studies Department 217E Curtiss Hall Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 50011 Phone: 515.294.8802 EMail: sorrel@iastate.edu

 

Courses available for EFE or Internships:

When students register, it is their responsibility to make an appointment with Dr. Brown very early in the semester to plan their EFE or internship.

Course Resources

AgEdS 211 Application (MS Word)

AgEdS 211 Application (Adobe PDF)

AgEdS 211 Manual (Adobe PDF)

AgEdS 412/418 Manual (Adobe PDF) AgEdS 412/418 Manual (MS Word)

PowerPoint Tips (Adobe PDF)

AgEdS 298 / 398 / 498 Application (MS Word)

AgEdS 590B Requirements for Graduate Students (Adobe PDF)

AgEdS 211: Early Field-Based Experience
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time course is taken; maximum of 3 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: 110. Five days (5) on-site in an agricultural setting observing competencies and issues in problem solving, decision-making, initiative taking, teamwork, leadership, written / visual communications, verbal communications, active listening, critical thinking, and creativity. Experiences may be completed in High School Agriculture programs, Extension programs, or Agricultural Industries and Agencies.

Tips and hints for an enjoyable and successful AgEdS 211 EFE
AgEdS 211 is not a work experience. In the AgEdS Department, EFE programs are planned, developed, and evaluated as they relate to academic programs. The course’s purpose is to provide career guidance, role modeling, and reference points for students to apply to their courses and other educational experiences. Be sure to sign up for the appropriate section of AgEdS 211. This is especially important to Teacher Certification majors so that it can later be verified that you had an EFE for teacher licensing. It is your responsibility to meet with Dr. Brown a minimum of two weeks prior to midterms to begin the EFE process. Without any communication prior to that time, Dr. Brown will be forced to send you an “F” at mid-term.

If you are planning a 211 EFE prior to the spring semester, contact Dr. Brown by November 15. If you intend on doing a summer 211 EFE, contact Dr. Brown before April 1.

You will not be contacted. You must take the initiative and contact Dr. Brown. This is part of the learning experience associated with AgEdS 211. AgEdS 211 can be taken up to 3 times in different settings. This allows students plenty of opportunities to get broad exposure in various work settings. This course is NOT for any work experience that you have already had. It is an applied academic course and involves several planned observations and special assignments. AgEdS 211 is a prerequisite for all other departmental internships including student teaching. AgEdS 211 can be completed at anytime throughout the year. A common misperception is that it can only be done during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or semester breaks. THIS IS NOT TRUE. With the appropriate planning, communication, and assistance from Dr. Brown, students should complete their EFE when the work site will provide them with the richest learning experience.

AgEdS 412. Internship in Agricultural Education and Studies
Cr. 2 to 6 each time taken; maximum of 6 credits; 2 to 12 weeks. F.S.SS. Prereq: 211, permission of instructor. A supervised learning experience in an approved learning setting with application to educational, agricultural and/or environmental practices and principles. Non-major graduate credit.

AgEdS 418. Supervised Extension Experience
Cr. 2 to 8; may be repeated to a maximum of 16 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: 211, permission of instructor. Supervised professional experience in an approved county, area or state Cooperative Extension Service office. Non-major graduate credit.

Tips and hints for internships (AgEdS 412/418)*
Internships in AgEdS are not work experiences. In the AgEdS Department, these programs are planned, developed, and evaluated as they relate to academic programs. The courses’ purpose is to provide career guidance, role modeling, and reference points for students to apply to their courses and other educational experiences.

Internships offer you opportunities to further develop (and practice) problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, initiative taking, leadership, listening, creativity, critical thinking, verbal, and written communication skills you have already begun to develop through your course work and involvement in academic clubs.

You need to meet with Dr. Sorrel Brown in early September to begin developing a plan and to be prepared for Ag Career Day, which is held on campus each fall. It is your responsibility to make the initial contact with Dr. Brown to get the “ball rolling.”

Prior to accepting an specific internship, please meet with Dr. Brown to ensure it is the most valuable experience for you. Please notify Dr. Brown as soon as you have accepted an internship so the appropriate communication process can begin between the AgEdS Department, the employer and your work site supervisor. A minimum of a month is required. For those degrees where an internship is required and the student is planning to graduate, four weeks between the end of the internship and graduation is needed: two weeks to complete and turn in the material and two weeks for it to be graded.

*Mr. Tom Paulsen is the coordinator of the higher-level Teacher Certification experiences.
They include:

AgEdS 416. Pre-Student Teaching Experience in Agricultural Education Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: 211, 402 and admission to teacher education program. A one-week field-based experience in an approved secondary agricultural education program. Concurrent enrollment in 417 is required. Non-major graduate credit.

AgEdS 417. Supervised Teaching in Agricultural Education Programs Cr. 12. F.S. Prereq: 211, 402 and admission to teacher education program. Supervised teaching in public schools. Non-major graduate credit. NOTE: EFE (AgEdS 211) is still required prior to taking AgEdS 416 and 417.