Major: Biosystems Engineering

Hometown: Priceville, Alabama

Career Goals: I would like to work in a position where I can help create or provide solutions for developing communities and people.

Hobby or Fun Fact: I enjoy upcycling things for projects or general reuse, whether that is old electronics, wood, or other materials.

Thoughts from Aidan

During this internship, I hope to grow both personally and professionally by strengthening my soft and hard skills. I want to learn how to support communities effectively by understanding the resources, logistics, and partnerships needed to meet local requests. I also have a strong interest in building relationships across Alabama Extension. I want to get to know the individuals who make the system work and gain a clearer picture of the many roles involved in the Extension programs statewide.

I am especially interested in working with Alabama Extension because of its mission to empower communities through education, outreach, and practical problem‑solving. This summer, I want to deepen my understanding of the programs, grants, and funding opportunities that Extension uses, so I can better support future projects. I also hope to build skills in project planning, communication, and community engagement, so I can understand what all actually goes into these plans. What are the procedures needed to work with local government? What are the steps taken to understand local interests and needs? How would I best support mine or someone else’s project? Overall, I want this internship to teach me the inside out of county Extension work and grow into a more capable, informed professional.