Hi, I’m Kate Sweeney, and during the summer of 2026, I had the opportunity to serve as an Environmental Education and Outreach Intern for the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, with both the Sustainability and Ecology and Natural Resources and programs. When I moved to Sarasota County four years ago, I was immediately impressed by its clean streets, well-maintained beaches, highly-rated schools, and the wide variety of community programs available. This led to my growing curiosity about what happens behind-the-scenes of the county, ultimately bringing me to pursue an internship. Throughout my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of both our natural and built environments while developing valuable professional skills in education, outreach, and communication. Learning from my knowledgeable colleagues and mentors, contributing to community events, and connecting with fellow interns made this experience incredibly rewarding. I look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I begin studying marketing at Florida State University in the fall and continue growing both personally and professionally.
Outreach Material Content
Creating outreach content was one of the most rewarding aspects of my internship. Throughout the summer, I designed social media graphics and educational materials, filmed and edited engaging and informative videos, and even wrote a blog highlighting sustainable adventures in Sarasota County! However, my favorite project was creating promotional content for the award-winning app, Agents of Discovery. I had the opportunity to sharpen my photography skills by capturing images of local parks, learn more about content development while working alongside Communications Associate Katie McFarlin, and even dress up as Forest Parker for a few promotional videos!
Energy Upgrade
Working alongside the Sustainability team on the Energy Upgrade program taught me about the built environment and the importance of connecting residents with resources they may not know are available. Seeing firsthand how education and outreach can improve people’s daily lives broadened my perspective on the role of community engagement. The Energy Upgrade program helps residents reduce their utility bills by installing devices in their homes that decrease energy and water consumption. I had the opportunity to educate residents at the All Faiths Food Bank drive and Days4Hope about water and energy savings, as well as giving them free energy-efficient light bulbs to install in their homes. Additionally, I had the amazing experience of assisting multiple people with in-home energy consultations. This program, which is available to families in Sarasota County facing financial hardship, installs efficiency devices, discusses possible sources of high energy, reviews electricity and water bills, and provides other materials to help lower utility bills.
Extreme Heat
I enjoyed assisting with the Extreme Heat program, where I was able to educate residents about extreme heat conditions, heat-related illnesses, and how to proactively implement cooling strategies. I attended multiple outreach and tabling events, including the Senior Friendship Center and the Venice Farmer’s Market, where I enjoyed discussing with residents about the dangers of extreme heat, and what they can do to mitigate its effects. In addition to community outreach, I created a facilitator guide for our Heat Building Materials Display, which we bring to events to educate the public on making the right materials choices for their homes.
Community Events
During my internship, I loved assisting with community outreach events. My favorite of these was 4-H Exploring Your Environment Summer Camp, where I spent the week teaching and mentoring middle school students. It was fun to go on field trips with them and watch them translate what they learned over the week into very impressive end-of-camp presentations. I also enjoyed participating in a variety of other community events, including the Watershed Bus tour, Nature at Night Hike, and the Superstar Snakes Program at Elsie Quirk Library.
Professional Development
One of the most valuable aspects of the Sarasota County Internship Program was its emphasis on professional development. Every other week, interns from across the county came together for workshops and activities designed to help us grow both professionally and personally. Some of these topics included public speaking, business etiquette, networking, philanthropy, and many other that will continue to benefit us through our careers. Additionally, each intern is assigned to a mentor, who is a professional in the field the intern is pursuing. I had a bi-weekly meeting with my mentor, where I could ask anything and learn from their expertise, which was very insightful.
Apply for an internship at Sarasota County!
My time as an intern with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has been an incredibly rewarding experience. If you’re considering applying for an internship with Sarasota County, I highly encourage you to do so. It is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the community while gaining valuable skills and learning more about local government.
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