The Tennessee Extension Internship Program provides students an opportunity to link classroom learning and campus leadership experiences with professional work experience. Gain hands-on work experience while exploring a career in Extension!
What is Extension?
UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work. With an Extension office in every county in Tennessee, Extension provides real life solutions to local communities.
Learn more about our locations here. One of the best ways to learn about Extension is to stop by or reach out to your local Extension office to talk with your local Extension Agent.
Why choose an internship with Tennessee Extension?
These are just a few of the reasons an Extension internship could be for you!
- Stipend – All summer internships are paid.
- A variety of hands on experience and field experience – no two days will look the same!
- Choose your location (county-based internships)
- Great networking – Make connections in your community and with Extension professionals across the state that will open career doors.
- Get involved in your community and make a difference! Extension improves the quality of life for Tennessee residents through research-based education.
- Work alongside and be mentored by experienced Extension professionals.
- Develop professional experience and skills.
- Strengthen communication and presentation skills.
- Develop leadership skills.
- Learn about career directions and opportunities in Extension.
What do past interns say about the internship experience?
Internship Opportunities and Application Information
Pay
All internships pay $6,080 (pre-tax) for the 8-week internship, paid in two monthly paychecks at the end of June and the end of July.
Interns must have reliable transportation to get to and from work. Housing is not provided.
Required GPA
All internships require a minimum 2.7 GPA.
Deadline
All applications are due by February 1, 2026.
Dates
Internships begin on June 1 with a required orientation in Knoxville. Interns are also required to participate in a presentation day on July 23 in Knoxville. Internships end July 29.
Available Internships
| Internship Name | Location | Accepted Majors | Overview of Application Requirements | Contact | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County-Based Internship (Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development) Job Description: County-Based Internship | Flexible Location | Agriculture, nutrition, child and family studies, community health, financial management, human ecology, education, or other closely related major. | Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students Minimum 2.7 GPA | Egla Lopez elopez4@utk.edu | Open |
| County Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Job Descriptions: Giles County Extension – Pulaski, TN, Roane County Extension – Harriman, TN | Roane County, Giles County | Agriculture, natural resources, environmental science or closely related major | Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students Minimum 2.7 GPA | Ashley Mike ashley.mike@utk.edu | Open |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Internship – Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Job Description: Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science – Knoxville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Agriculture, natural resources, environmental science or closely related major | Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students Minimum 2.7 GPA | Ashley Mike ashley.mike@utk.edu | Open |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Internship – Plant Sciences (Consumer Horticulture) Job Description: Plant Science (Consumer Horticulture) – Knoxville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Agriculture, natural resources, environmental science or closely related major | Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students Minimum 2.7 GPA | Ashley Mike ashley.mike@utk.edu | Open |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Internship – Plant Sciences (Forage) Job Description: Plant Science (Forage) – Knoxville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Agriculture, natural resources, environmental science or closely related major | Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students Minimum 2.7 GPA | Ashley Mike ashley.mike@utk.edu | Open |
| Charlie & Mattie Elrod Small Farms Internship Job Description: Small Farms Internship | Flexible Location | Agriculture or closely related major | Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students in the UT Herbert College of Agriculture or UT College of Veterinary Medicine Minimum 2.7 GPA | Egla Lopez elopez4@utk.edu | Open |
How Do I Apply?
1. Complete the Online Application
You can apply for all internships using one form. If you encounter any technical issues with the form, please contact Egla Lopez at elopez4@utk.edu.
2. Attach the Required Application Materials to Your Application
Note that each internship requires a resume, transcripts (official or unofficial), and a cover letter. All documents must be attached to your online application for it to be considered complete. Applications without all required attachments will not be considered.
Required Attachments
| Resume | All internships require a resume. For some tips and resources for developing an effective resume, see the resources below. Resume Resources – UT Center for Career Development and Career Exploration |
| Cover Letter | Please prepare a single cover letter that addresses the following questions: 1.Why are you interested in the internship(s) you selected? 2.What experiences (work, volunteer, extracurricular, community service, etc.) have prepared you for this opportunity? 3.What are your academic and career goals, and how does this internship align with them? If you are applying for more than one internship type, you may submit one combined cover letter that exceeds one page in length. Please use headers or clear labels (for example, “County-Based Internship,” “Small Farms Internship,” or “ANR Internship”) to indicate which sections of your letter correspond to each internship type. |
| Transcript | All internships require a minimum 2.7 GPA to apply. Please make sure to upload your transcript, which can be an official copy or an unofficial copy, to show your GPA and completed coursework. |
2026 Internship Committee
