Summer Internship provides real life experience

Alivia Faris helps a 4-H student guide her skirt casing through the machine.

With her summer spent immersed in the day to day responsibilities of an extension agent, a Fleming County native has been able to get an up close and personal glimpse of her dream job.

A senior at Western Kentucky University, Alivia Faris has spent the past 12 weeks as an intern for the Family and Consumer Sciences Program.

Alivia has known what she wanted to be when she grew up from the time she was just a small child.

“If I had to pick a moment when I first started to become interested in Family and Consumer Sciences, I would say it was when I was about 4 years old. I used to sit on my late grandmother Nash’s lap and watch her sew, eventually she even let me work on my own projects with her,” Alivia said.

When she was in elementary school, Alivia decided to join her local 4-H program.

“I was in the 4th grade at Ewing Elementary when I joined 4-H and that is when I really fell in love. I completed projects in 4-H under many of the FCS categories from sewing and cooking to crafting and photography,” she said.

It was during those early 4-H years that she became even more encouraged to consider a career as an extension agent.

“Donna Fryman, made a huge impact on my life and my decision to pursue a career in Family and Consumer Science, by not only helping me as I explored FCS in 4-H but also by being an excellent example of what a FCS agent should be. I am very blessed to have her as an example and mentor for not only this summer but throughout my journey in FCS. A few other people I would also say influenced my decision are Angie Graham and Karlyn Vice. The student organization for FCS is FCCLA (the Family Career and Community Leaders of America, formally known as FHA and FHA Hero). Mrs. Vice and Mrs. Graham encouraged me and inspired me daily. FCCLA allowed me to develop skills that I still use as a student and professional. It also provided me the opportunity to grow in knowledge of FCS and gain confidence in myself. I will be forever grateful to these women for providing those opportunities to me. These opportunities and people are part of the reason I was able to work as a FCS intern at the Fleming County extension office this summer,” Alivia explained.

Throughout the 12-week program, Alivia said her summer was filled with many fun and exciting opportunities to learn what being an extension agent is all about.

“I feel like I have accomplished so much this summer and at the same time I feel like there is so much more that I want to do, 12 weeks just is not enough time. I am sad that my internship is coming to an end. I have learned so much about what it really takes to be an agent this summer. I have been able to work with the Fleming County Chamber of Commerce and Fleming County Tourism for events. I was also able to help plan and implement activities for seniors and children. I have been able to see the paperwork side of things too with budgeting and reports. One of the most important things I have learned is the importance of being a member and friend to the community. FCS agents are a resource and provide tools for individuals, families and communities to have a better life. I am truly blessed to be able to say that I have been able to be a part of that this summer and will hopefully be able to do that for the rest of my life” Alivia said. “I still have a lot to learn about FCS but I know this internship and my education in FCS are an excellent starting points. If I were to give someone who is interested in a career in FCS advice it would be to work first as a volunteer, you can learn a lot about your interest and if you would like to peruse those interest as a career if you actually work/volunteer in that field. I would also recommend in participating in FCS activities and organizations for the same reason. If you are still interested at that point you need to do some self-reflection, understand that those who work in FCS are “a jack of all trades.” They need to have an understanding of a lot of content in many areas, content that changes on occasion due to research, so you also need to be willing to learn and adapt. Additionally, you need to be sure you like to work with people because FCS is all about people to people relationships; to help others and educate others you have to be willing to work for and with people. I can honestly say working in FCS has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done and I would not want to work in any other discipline,” Alivia said.

As part of her internship, Alivia also helped with 4-H Camp, where she taught the campers how to make their own spa items.

“I had a great time at 4-H camp, like I do every summer. This summer I taught a home spa class, this class taught campers how to make their very own spa items. These items included lip balm, scrubs, soaps and many more. During this week I also learned a lot professionally, there was a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into making camp happen and it was nice to help with and learn about that side of things,” Alivia said.

In addition to 4-H camp, Alivia also helped plan, prepare and implement several fun and exciting programs for local kids to attend such as the Veggies Make Cents and Tasty Tuesday and the Community Adventure Passport Camp.

“The Farmers’ Market, is held twice a week at the Extension Office and overlapped with the Tasty Tuesday and The Veggies Make “Cents” Programs.

The Tasty Tuesday Program used vegetables from the Fleming County Farmers Market and Plate It Up recipes to create samples for individuals to taste at the Farmers’ Market.

Fleming County community members sponsored the Veggies Make “Cents” Program which provided the youth with five dollar “veggie bucks” to use at the Farmers’ market. This program not only provided an opportunity for youth and adult communication but also educates the community on easy ways to eat healthy.

It was amazing getting to talk to local farmers and learn about what they do in preparation for their sell. It was also neat to see what different types of goods are produced in Fleming County. I also helped plan and implement Community Passport Adventure Camp.

These are only a few of the activities and events that have given me the privilege to help plan and organize. Other activities and events included Super Star Chef Camp, Senior citizens’ nutrition class, The Fleming County Fair, 4-H Cooking Camp, The Fleming County Food Pantry, Style Engineer Day Camp and planning for the Back to School Gala. I will also attend the Paraprofessional Day on my last day at the Fleming County Extension Office,” Alivia said.

Alivia said her summer internship has been an amazing experience as she works toward becoming an extension agent.

“I am very grateful that I was given the amazing opportunity to be an intern this summer. It was everything I expected and so much more. I found a passion for working with and for the community this summer and I am sad to say good bye for now to the youth and adults I now consider part of my extension family. You never really know what the day will hold for you when you walk into the Extension Office or who you will meet and I love that! I had a passion for family and consumer sciences at the beginning of the summer and now I am leaving with a passion for extension and the communities we serve,” Alivia said.

Aliva Faris graduated from Fleming County High School in 2013 and is the daughter of Greg and Sandy Faris of Ewing.

In May of 2017 she will graduate from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.