As I’ve spent more time in my internship position here at Douglas County Extension, I have gotten to see a side of Extension and 4-H that I didn’t have a good understanding of before. Before my internship, I didn’t realize how much work goes into everything before the fair actually starts. Now that the Douglas County Fair is finished, I have a much better understanding of how much time, planning and work goes into making everything happen for the youth involved in 4-H. 

A big part of my internship has been helping with the County Fair. We were preparing in the main Extension office until mid-July, and then moved out to the fairgrounds to begin preparing there, and where we spent about three weeks between preparation, fair and then putting everything away. I spent a lot of time helping in the 4-H office and wherever else I was needed during fair. Some days that meant helping with things in the office, while other times I was helping make sure things around the fair were taken care of. I really enjoyed being able to help with so many different tasks during the week and interacting with all of our 4-H families. One of the things I was most involved with was the static exhibits. I helped with getting interview times set up, communicating with exhibitors and families, preparing the static exhibit building, helping on Static Day, and making sure the exhibits were ready to go for the week of fair. I was also there to help with Static check out. Seeing the whole process from start to finish was probably one of the most valuable parts of my internship. It was a lot of work, but it was rewarding to see everything come together and know that I helped make it happen. 

I also really enjoyed getting to work with the youth and public for the week. I saw all of the kids’ names and the projects they were completing on the computer leading up to the fair, but it was so awesome to finally interact with them and put a face to their name.  

I would not say that I faced any major struggles during my internship, but I have learned that things do not always go exactly as planned. Especially during the fair, there are a lot of people, projects and things happening at the same time. I learned to take initiative and step in where it was needed, even if I wasn’t sure what I was doing. This experience has taught me many valuable lessons that I will carry with me in future jobs and life endeavors.  

Overall, this internship has taught me more than I ever initially thought. I have learned about Extension and 4-H, but I have also learned a lot about working with people, staying organized, coordinating and being willing to help wherever I am needed. Most of all, I am glad I got to experience the County Fair I grew up competing at from the other side and see how much work goes into making it a good experience for the 4-H members. I am grateful for the people I have worked with and for everything I have been able to be a part of during my internship. 

– Amaya Slay

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.