Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management

Hometown: Jasper, Alabama

Career Goals: I want to become a conservation ecologist that works with pollinators—bridging the gap between wildlife and agriculture.

Hobby or Fun Fact: My favorite hobby is gardening.

Thoughts from Raine

This internship with Alabama Extension is very important to my development as a professional and as a person. Professionally, it will help me network with constituents in and around the Lee County area. Getting your foot in the door is one of the most important things that you can do with a career trajectory such as mine. I hope to build a more tightly knit network of professionals in both the agriculture and wildlife fields. Personally, I want to learn all I can about plants that are important to people and animals. Host plants, food sources, shelter; I want to know all of it. Additionally, I want to do something career-wise that makes me happy, and I have never been happier than when I am in the garden.

What interests me most about working with Alabama Extension is the wealth of knowledge accumulated by people from all walks of life. However, I do not want to absorb knowledge and just sit on it. I want to know and be known. I want to spread the knowledge I gain for the betterment of the community. Extension’s goal is to extend knowledge and improve lives, and I cannot think of a motto that more closely aligns with my own beliefs. This summer, I want to improve my communication skills alongside my identification and care skills. Overall, I am working to improve skills relevant to any career but especially the agriculture and wildlife fields.