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Every year, the Mercer County Internship program offers students across Mercer County a unique opportunity to work in county offices. This experience provides them with a job and allows them to witness the County Government in action, gaining valuable insights into the various ways Mercer County Government impacts its residents.
Here at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, we have long had interns in our offices in the summer. This summer, we were lucky to have two outstanding interns join us – Rutgers University student Naina Pillai and Notre Dame High School student Gavin Coleman. Summer is such a busy time at Extension, with summer camps, the 4-H Fair, and preparations for school enrichment and fall programming; it takes a lot of time and effort for summer to run smoothly and prepare for the fall, and we depend on the interns to help us get it done. The job of an intern at Extension is varied, and each day brings new challenges; some days were all about the 4-H Fair – preparing signs, putting up tents, and staffing the vegetable stand; other days, our interns helped with camp or assisted our Master Gardeners with administrative tasks. Naina also spent a lot of time working in the FCHS department, assisting with educational programs and tracking the feedback from those programs.
When asked about her experience this summer at Cooperative Extension, Naina writes: “My time as a student intern at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County was not only rewarding but also enjoyable! With many departments in the building and a variety of activities taking place, every day was different. I had numerous opportunities to learn new skills and contribute to various projects, which was especially valuable as a college student preparing for my career. It was also wonderful to work with everyone in the office; they were all incredibly welcoming and dedicated to educating the community.
Overall, my favorite experience was the 4-H Fair. It was not only my first time attending the fair, which was exciting, but I also had the opportunity to see behind the scenes and witness the tremendous effort and commitment to organizing the event. Seeing firsthand the passion involved made me appreciate the fair even more!“
When asked about his summer internship experience, Gavin says.” If I had to summarize my internship at Rutgers Cooperative Extension in a life-or-death situation, I’d say, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” This marks my second year interning at the Extension office, and that phrase still perfectly captures the experience. Whether I’m creating endless arts and crafts for student enrichment, making copies, channeling my inner farmer while helping with the County Fair, or tackling miscellaneous office projects, there’s never a dull moment. Every day is filled with activity, laughter, and camaraderie, thanks to my incredible coworkers who never fail to brighten my day. As I enter my senior year of high school, I might not have the chance to return, but I’ll always remember the Cooperative Extension office as a second home and the best internship I’ve ever had.“
Both Naina and Gavin demonstrated remarkable adaptability and a positive attitude, enthusiastically tackling every task we gave them. We are grateful for their contributions and will miss them when they go back to school!