THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIENTIAL PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN RESEARCH AND EXTENSION (EXPLORE) PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE INTERNSHIPS AND RELEVANT LEADERSHIP AND CAREER TRAINING FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND PARTNER INSTITUTIONS. PARTNERS INCLUDE 2-YEAR AND MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A 2-DAY INDUCTION FOCUSED ON COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES, PRESENTATION SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, AND RÉSUMÉ PREPARATION. THEY THEN DISPERSE AROUND THE STATE WHERE EACH INDIVIDUAL IS PLACED WITH A TRAINED EXPERT MENTOR IN EITHER A RESEARCH OR EXTENSION INTERNSHIP FOR A 10-WEEK ROTATION. THESE INTERNSHIPS FLUCTUATE IN CONTENT, BUT ALL INCLUDE SPECIALIZED TRAINING, LAB EXPERIENCES, INDUSTRY JOB SHADOWING, AND ONE-ON-ONE WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION MEETINGS WITH MENTORS. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP A PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL AND TO TAKE PHOTOS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE DURING THEIR INTERNSHIP. AT THE END OF THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES, STUDENTS RECONVENE AT LSU TO CREATE 3 DELIVERABLES: 1) RÉSUMÉS: WITH UPDATES USING NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED DURING THEIR INTERNSHIP, THESE RÉSUMÉS WILL PREPARE UNDERGRADUATES FOR INDUSTRY OR GRADUATE SCHOOL PLACEMENT. 2) VIDEOS: STUDENTS USE THEIR JOURNALS, PICTURES, AND FOOTAGE TO CREATE A RECORDING OF A PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD. THIS VIDEO LIBRARY IS USED FOR STUDENTS TO SELF-REFLECT AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THEIR PRESENTATION AND FOR OUTREACH. 3) CONFERENCE PRESENTATION: STUDENTS GIVE THEIR PRESENTATION AT A CONFERENCE OR PROFESSIONAL MEETING OF THEIR CHOICE. THE INTENDED IMPACT OF PROJECT EXPLORE IS TO OFFER STRATEGIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF GRADUATES ENTERING THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators