As my internship with Hood River County Extension comes to an end, it is hard to believe how much I have learned in such a short amount of time. Looking back on this summer, one of the biggest highlights was helping with the Hood River County Fair. I knew fair week would be busy, but I did not realize just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make everything come together. Seeing months of planning become a successful event for our 4-H members and community was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Throughout fair week, I helped wherever I was needed. Every day looked a little
different, whether I was assisting with livestock activities, answering questions, helping with events, or supporting Extension staff behind the scenes. One of my favorite parts of the internship was getting to experience so many different aspects of Extension work. Being willing to jump in wherever help was needed taught me how important flexibility and teamwork are. There were plenty of moments when plans changed or unexpected situations came up, but everyone worked together to make sure the fair was successful.

One of the biggest things I will take away from this internship is the confidence I have gained. Since I grew up in Hood River County 4-H, many of the volunteers, parents, and community members have known me for years as an exhibitor. This summer, I stepped into a different role. Instead of being the kid showing livestock, I was working alongside those same adults as an Extension intern, helping answer questions, support events, and assist wherever I could. At first, it felt a little strange navigating that change, but over time I became more confident in myself and my abilities. Learning to contribute as a coworker instead of just a participant showed me how much I have grown, both personally and professionally.

Working under my supervisor, Grace Wesson, gave me a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into Extension programming and the county fair. I learned that successful events require organization, communication, teamwork, and the ability to adapt when things do not go exactly as planned. Those are skills I know I will carry with me throughout college and into my future career in agricultural communications.

As I finish this internship, I am grateful for everything I have learned and everyone who invested in me along the way. If I could give one piece of advice to future interns, it would be to say yes to every opportunity. Some of the most valuable experiences came from stepping outside my comfort zone and taking on tasks I had never done before. You never know what you will learn or who you will meet. This internship has strengthened my confidence, expanded my perspective, and reinforced my passion for serving the agricultural community, and I am excited to carry these experiences with me into the future.

My name is Karyna Marquez, and I am excited to be serving as the Hood River County 4-H Intern this summer. I am a Hood River County native and a freshman at Oklahoma State University, where I am majoring in agricultural communications and earning a certificate in meat science. Growing up in Hood River County, 4-H played a major role in my life and helped shape who I am today. 

My journey in 4-H began when I was a Cloverbud and continued throughout my youth as I became involved in livestock projects. Over the years, I showed large livestock competitively throughout the Pacific Northwest and developed a passion for the agriculture industry and youth development. Through my experiences in 4-H, I gained valuable skills in leadership, responsibility, communication and public speaking that continue to benefit me today. 

Because of the positive impact 4-H had on my life, I am excited to return to the program in a new role this summer. As the Hood River County 4-H Intern, I will be assisting with outreach, programming and county fair activities. This internship provides an opportunity to give back to the program that gave me so much while also gaining professional experience in Extension. My career goal is to work in agricultural communications, whether that be for an agriculture communications company or within the communications department of a larger agriculture organization. Through this internship, I hope to strengthen my communication skills, learn more about community outreach and gain a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into Extension programming and events. I am also excited to learn more about event planning, social media outreach and the many ways Extension serves local communities. 

One thing I am especially looking forward to this summer is helping with county fair activities. Fair week was always one of my favorite parts of 4-H and I am excited to experience it from a new perspective. I also hope to work on outreach projects, assist with youth programming and help create resources that support local 4-H members and families. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend the summer with Hood River County Extension and eager to learn, grow and give back to a program that has had such a meaningful impact on my life.