Paige Molesworth

Responsibilities

During my internship, I held a diverse set of responsibilities that combined direct youth programming, mental health education, and community outreach through Iowa State University Extension and AmeriCorps. A major focus of my role was developing and implementing educational programming for youth in collaboration with teachers at Colo-NESCO and community partners. I created and facilitated a two-hour mental health workshop, developed and led a five-lesson financial literacy curriculum for 8th grade students at Colo-NESCO, co-facilitated a similar five-lesson financial literacy program for 7th graders, and implemented the Mindful Teen curriculum with 7th grade students, supporting social-emotional learning and overall student well-being in the classroom setting. In addition to curriculum development and facilitation, I strengthened my knowledge and skills in mental health and youth support through professional training. I earned my Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, became a trained Mindful Teen Facilitator, and participated in advanced DSP Behavioral and Mental Health Certificate training through AmeriCorps in partnership with DMACC. These experiences enhanced my ability to recognize and respond to mental health needs in youth settings and directly informed my work in schools and workshops. My internship also included significant outreach, communication, and community engagement responsibilities. I served as a guest on KHOI radio to share information about AmeriCorps service and Extension programs. I collaborated with fellow AmeriCorps members to prepare mental health-focused materials for the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at Iowa State University, coordinated and supported tabling efforts at the event, and participated in additional outreach initiatives. I also contributed to the development of marketing materials for programs and events, attended staff meetings and a Story County Council meeting to share program experiences and outcomes, and engaged in broader Extension outreach efforts throughout my service.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship was the growth I experienced in both confidence and connection to the community, along with the meaningful impact I was able to have on youth. Over time, I became more integrated into the school and Extension environments, building relationships with students, educators, and community partners. This helped me move beyond simply delivering programming to truly understanding and caring about the young people I was working with and their individual needs and experiences. A significant part of this accomplishment was seeing the importance of consistency, presence, and relationship-building in youth work. As I became more comfortable in my role, I was able to engage more authentically with students and feel a deeper sense of responsibility for supporting their growth and well-being. Overall, my greatest accomplishment was developing into a more confident and community-connected professional who genuinely values and cares for the youth I served.

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons I learned during my internship is the importance of supportive colleagues and strong professional relationships in meaningful work. Serving at Story County Extension and Outreach via AmeriCorps showed me that impactful work is not done in isolation, but through collaboration, trust, and shared purpose. The encouragement and support from colleagues and partners made a significant difference in both the quality of the work and my overall experience. I also learned the importance of growth through discomfort, especially in developing public speaking and facilitation skills. While these were initially areas of uncertainty for me, repeated experiences in community and youth settings helped me build confidence and adaptability. In addition, I learned the value of relying on others and sharing responsibilities, especially as I worked to overcome my tendency toward perfectionism. Overall, this internship taught me that professional growth comes from both skill development and the relationships that support and strengthen that growth.

What advice would you give?

Be passionate about the work you’re doing and the things you care about. Mental health advocacy has always been a central part of who I am and the kind of meaningful, impactful work I hope to continue pursuing, whether with youth, young adults, or older adults in the community. At the core of this work, it’s important to remember that every individual deserves to be seen, heard, valued, and appreciated. Alongside that, give yourself permission not to have everything figured out. You are still young, even if it doesn’t always feel that way, and so much of the world is still unknown to you. It is okay to change your mind, feel frustrated, or cry when things feel overwhelming. Those moments are not setbacks—they are part of growth and often make the moments of joy, connection, laughter, and love even more meaningful and fulfilling.