Agricultural Education Intern

Minnesota will once again be hiring Agricultural Education Interns in 2026. The purpose of the Agricultural Education Internship is to spark an interest in current collegiate students to consider entering the teaching profession and to provide Agricultural Education students with hands-on experience in this exciting career. The internship will focus on summer programing, such as Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) visits, county fairs, FFA leadership activities, and additional professional development opportunities.

The internship may begin as soon as May 11, 2026 and end as late as August 14, 2026; however, exact dates of the internship are negotiable. Interns will work approximately 320 hours over the summer (no more than 40 hours/week). One week of the summer will be spent at the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) summer conference, providing opportunities for professional development and networking. The conference will be held in St. Cloud, MN from July 7-July 10, 2026.

The internship is intended for Agricultural Education majors, however, students in other majors who are interested in pursuing teacher licensure will also be considered. Current sophomores, juniors, seniors (who will complete student teaching in Fall 2026), and initial licensure graduate students from any institution should apply; however, priority will be given to those with the intent to teach in Minnesota. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here.

Interns will be University of Minnesota employees and compensated with a salary of $15.25/hour. Conference lodging, registration, and MAAE membership dues will be provided for the intern. Transportation and housing are the intern's responsibility.

Internship Credits
Individual study credits may be available through your college or university. Please contact your institution to see if this internship will qualify for credit.

Minimum Qualifications:
*Candidate must be a current sophomore, junior or a senior (who will complete student teaching in Fall 2026). Initial licensure graduate students will also be considered. Candidate should not have graduated, or student taught prior to the start of the internship.
*Candidate should be an Agricultural Education major or have the intent to pursue teacher licensure.
*Candidates may be from any institution; however, priority will be given to those with the intent to teach in Minnesota.
*Candidate must be self-motivated, ambitious, and possess a strong desire to learn.
*Candidate must work well with youth and adults. The individual should be a strong communicator.
*Candidate must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Pay Range: $15.25; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Candidates must submit an application online and provide a letter of interest, resume, and responses to essay questions, by Monday, November 17, 2025. The selection committee will review applications and select individuals for interviews. Please submit online at one of the following links based on university affiliation:
-Student Worker (University of Minnesota Twin Cities & Crookston students)
-Temporary/Casual (non-University of Minnesota students)

Please include the following essay questions
1. Please explain your interest in becoming an agriculture teacher and your intent to teach in Minnesota.

2. Briefly share your experiences in Agricultural Education thus far as a high school and/or college student (class enrollment, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, FFA activities, community outreach, etc).

3. What do you hope to learn from this internship? Please share if there are any specific experiences you hope to gain during the summer (ex. agricultural mechanics, greenhouse management, SAE visits, classroom set-up advice) *Note - due to the timing of this internship, there are limited opportunities for classroom instruction.

4. Please indicate your top three choices for which Minnesota FFA Region (Region 1-Region 8) you would prefer to be located. A specific list of chapters within each region can be found at: https://www.mnffa.org/chapter-directory.

5. In application, please also include the following questions: College Attending, Expected Graduation Year, High School(s) Attended, Agriculture Teachers (if applicable)

For more information or to request an accommodation during the application process, please contact Kari Schwab at opdah012@umn.edu or 612-624-6256

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).