This summer, Gabrielle Washington says she learned how much she “really enjoys” doing research. A senior studying agricultural economics at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, she spent the past eight weeks in an internship in the Department of Economics at ISU learning about the work of a research economist.

Washington is one of 20 participants in ISU's George Washington Carver internship program. Conducted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the program matches students with a faculty mentor, exposes them to research, and gives them a chance to become familiar with graduate student life in a large university.

Visiting Assistant Professor Georgeanne Artz served as Washington’s mentor throughout her internship. "This is an opportunity for a student to do hands-on research and to get a closer look at graduate school,” she said. “It also gives them a chance to try out ISU as a potential for graduate study."

Washington researched the use of machinery in fruit and vegetable farms in Iowa. Under Artz’s guidance, she developed a survey, a case study, and spent time interviewing smaller produce farmers about their machinery needs and the type of information they’d like more access to.

"Interviewing is something I've never done before so this was a really good opportunity for me," said Washington. "I loved hearing people's passion for farming that really came out in these interviews."

Washington also identified a strong connection to the mission of Extension, and is setting her sights on attending graduate school in economics – potentially at ISU.

“I loved doing research and finding gaps in the knowledge base that we can fill. It’s a fun challenge,” she said. “I really feel strongly about helping people through service. I’m definitely inspired by George Washington Carver’s example.”