Also this month:

* NC A&T Project to Improve Food Stamp Nutrition

* Tailored Information Best for Farm Safety

* NC A&T Specialist Advises on Child Care Options for Infants

* NC A&T and Guilford County Extension Team for Small Farm Day

* NC A&T Hosts USDA Scholars

* NC A&T Department Faculty at National Conference

Other News Links:

Press Release Archive  

Cooperative Extension Press Releases 

Agricultural Research Press Releases 

General Links:

NC A&T School of Agriculture 

Agricultural Communications 

Mitch Arnold, news editor 

Five fashion merchandising and design seniors in the NC A&T Department of Family and Consumer Sciences are the first to complete their internships in a project entitled, "Internship Success: Student Professional Development and Career Placement."

The project is directed by Dr. Carolyn Turner, associate professor, and also involves the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Jane Walker, an instructor in the department, developed and taught the first class leading to the internships coordinated by the program.

According to Turner, the project is directed toward developing a model internship program which will enhance experiential learning, assist in job placement, and improve minority presence in the food and family sciences. The program will then to be shared with other universities.

"Through student and employer feedback, we learned that students could be better prepared for their internships," said Turner. "We wanted to improve their internship opportunities by creating a systematic way to provide experiential learning."

To do this, A&T Department of Family and Consumer Sciences faculty have begun incorporating internship preparation in the curriculum, starting in the freshman year. This is done through modules teaching students how to research and pursue internships, and through assignment components, such as information interviews and professional observation.

Another goal of the project is to develop tools students can use to prepare themselves for internships. Among these tools are manuals for both the intern and the cooperating supervisor, and Web-based databases containing such features as company information, testimonials from past interns and interactive interest tests.

Evaluations provided by recent graduates will help project faculty fine-tune their efforts.

The five students who completed their internships through this program this summer include:

• Kara Bennett of Washington, DC. Bennett worked at Belk in Greensboro, where she helped make floor merchandise decisions, worked with floor displays and created a promotional program for employees. Bennett continues to work with Belk and hopes to become a buyer or fashion consultant.
  
• Sara McClendon of Monroe. McClendon worked at Judy's Sewtique in High Point, where she altered clothing, reconstructed garments, and helped with the business's advertising and marketing. McClendon plans to continue her education and seek a career in textile research and design.
  
• Talita Briley of High Point. Briley worked with Southern Accent Florist in High Point, where she learned about the management and marketing aspects of running a small business. Briley plans a career as a fashion buyer.
  
• Crystal C. Baldwin of Wilmington. Baldwin worked at Sears in Greensboro, where she spent time in a number of departments learning various sales and management techniques. Baldwin plans a career in product development.
  
• Damon Wade of Winston-Salem. Wade worked at Dillard's in Winston-Salem, as a retail management and merchandising trainee. Wade plans a career in retail merchandising or apparel design.

"Through the program, each student was able to select an internship which met their goals," said Walker. "The feedback we've received from both the students and the cooperating companies has been positive."

For more information, please contact Dr. Carolyn Turner, NC A&T Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, (336) 334-7692.