Young Professionals Intern Spotlight: Mary Halbur

Young Professionals Intern Spotlight: Mary Halbur

This week’s Young Professionals Spotlight features a Corridor intern. Mary Halbur, 22, is a University of Iowa graduate from Ames, IA. Halbur graduated with a degree in Speech and Hearing Science, a minor in Human Relations and a certificate in Disability Studies. Although she will attend St. Cloud State University next fall to receive her Masters in Applied Behavioral Science, Halbur is currently interning this summer at the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Office of Clay County in Spencer as their K-3 STEM Programming Intern.

“Right now, I have been planning, coordinating, and facilitating the “World in Motion” programs,” said Halbur. “The first week’s topic was “Engineering Inspired by Nature”, and after that we did a “Rolling Things Challenge”, where the kids studied toy cars and determined their performances based on their weight and other aspects. All of the camps are very ‘hands-on’, and its fun to watch the younger kids learn from the older kids and vice-versa.”

Halbur will also work together with the Extension Office team on the Achievement and Communication Fair for kids to qualify for the state fair before they head back to school in August. Additionally, Halbur will assist in helping with the Clay County Fair and other Extension and Outreach events.

“During the Achievement Fair, kids from the Corridor can get their projects in the human science fields judged to potentially qualify for the state fair, so we’re really excited about that,” said Halbur. “The fair will take place on July 22^nd.”

Halbur is optimistic about returning to the corridor, and she will take into consideration the need for individuals in her field. One thing Halbur loves about the Corridor is the friendly atmosphere.

“I will hopefully be working with kids in the “early intervention” stage, and I think there is a great need in Iowa for this particular area,” said Halbur. “I’m definitely open to returning to the Corridor. I don’t know where I will be after graduation, however I would love to come back to Iowa because I would already be familiar with the area and I could continue to build a network of people in my field here.”

Halbur hopes to build her network here through the Young Professionals group, and she is excited to see the many connections that are created for other people in the group as well. Halbur stated:

“I’m a big believer that when people from different areas of expertise work together, everyone will leave with a more impactful experience, so that’s something that makes the Young Professionals group so important.”

When she’s not working, Halbur spends time with her family and friends on West Lake Okoboji. To learn more about the K-3 STEM programs, you can contact the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Office – Clay County at their website: www.extension.iastate.edu/clay. You can also learn more about the Young Professionals Group by contacting the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation at 712-264-3474.