My name is Amaya Slay, and I am excited to spend my summer interning with Oregon State University Extension Service in Douglas County as part of the 4-H program. I am currently a student at Oregon State University majoring in agricultural and food business management. I have always enjoyed working with youth and being involved in my community, so this internship is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while giving back to a program that has had such a positive impact on my life.
Over the summer, I hope to learn more about how Oregon State Extension and the 4-H program work behind the scenes to support youth, families and communities. I am excited to develop professional skills in leadership, communication and event planning, and I hope to gain a better understanding of the many responsibilities that go into creating meaningful experiences for young people and supporting volunteers. One of the things I am looking forward to most is working with the Douglas County community and getting to know the families, volunteers and youth who make the 4-H program so successful. I can’t wait to help with summer activities and events, like the fair, that create memories for youth in the community and help them build their confidence and leadership skills. Being able to contribute to a program that positively impacts so many young individuals is something that I am looking forward to being a part of.
In the future, my career goal is to work in a field where I can continue making a difference in the lives of others, whether through education, youth development or a related profession. This internship will allow me to explore those interests while gaining valuable real-world experience. Although I am still considering different options for a career path, this has been a great opportunity to learn more about work in Extension, a career field that I have been interested in. My experience has been great so far and has helped guide me in the right direction for my future career decisions.
My connection with Oregon State Extension began long before this internship. I participated in 4-H for many years, and those experiences helped shape who I am today. Through 4-H, I developed leadership skills, learned responsibility, built lasting friendships and gained confidence by trying new things and making connections with so many people within my community. Because of the positive experiences I had as a 4-H member in Douglas County, it is very rewarding to now be on the other side of the program as an intern in my home county. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning, growing and helping make this a successful summer for the youth and families of Douglas County.