Early career Extension economists seeking advice on Extension and research program development and mentorship have fewer places to turn due to the declining number of Extension economists in the profession. As such, we conduct a survey of Extension economists that ask about research and Extension integration, funding models, challenges to the profession, mentorship of graduate students, and philosophies of developing Extension programs. We find that networking with stakeholders to design research and Extension programs is viewed as a key element to a successful career. We also find that there is an insufficient level of formal mentorship and training occurring for preparing graduate students for Extension work. In the authors’ opinion, results of the study suggest that formal mentoring programs that teach networking and communication skills to graduate students would greatly benefit them in their professional pursuits in Extension.

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Wang, S.L. 2014. “Cooperative Extension System: Trends and Economic Impacts on U.S. Agriculture.” Choices 29(1):1–8.