It's hard to beat a summertime filled with spending time with family and friends, traveling to new places, enjoying the outdoors and sometimes just relaxing. For college students, the summer is also a great time to gain valuable professional experiences.
Jessie Scott, a 2008 graduate of Iowa Valley High School (Marengo, Iowa) and junior this fall at Drake University in Des Moines, has been gaining valuable professional experiences as a communications intern with USDA Rural Development.
A highlight of Scott's internship occurred earlier this month when she received a personalized coin medallion from Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack as a token of USDA's appreciation for her time with the agency.
"We really appreciate the impact of young people on USDA and hope we can keep talented people like Jessie in our agency," Vilsack said.
During the summer Scott has worked at USDA Rural Development's State Office in Des Moines. She has helped coordinate public events, write news releases, develop feature stories, create newsletters, update agency brochures, as well as complete numerous other communications assignments.
"Internships are tremendous opportunities for students to receive hands-on learning," said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. "It has been a pleasure working with Jessie this summer. She has excelled as a communications specialist with our agency and has a tremendous future ahead of her."
The USDA is always looking for new ways to encourage the younger generation to take an active role in federal government. This is why the USDA offers internships to give college students, like Jessie, a chance to learn and benefit from an employee's guidance and knowledge, and to use their skills to help strengthen the USDA.
High school students also have the opportunity to assist the USDA through a cub reporter program where they research and write about important projects and programs.
"USDA recognizes the importance of youth and the great contribution their ideas and actions will have on this country," said Vilsack. "We are pleased that we are able to brighten their futures and to know that they will strengthen ours." To find out more about a career at USDA click here.
