Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
The quest of a college graduate to find a field that fits their degree is by no means a new mission, but the rewarding feeling of finding that job is as unique as the individual.
When Carrie Kile, brand new OSU extension educator for Garvin County, went back to school to get her Family and Consumer Sciences degree, little did she know how quickly she’d be working back in the region where she had spent most of her life.
A native of Wynnewood, she accepted the job only after a little over a year working with the Chickasaw Nation.
Kile earned her degree from East Central University in 2008 and while with the nation she began work she has carried over to Pauls Valley in nutrition and food demonstration. She might have remained with the tribe, but found the position here added what was missing in her career ambitions.
Kile’s responsibilities include a little bit of everything, but her primary tasks will be family/consumer science duties like bringing community as well as individuals together and providing leader lessons through the Oklahoma Home and Community Education Program.
One of the recent lessons was a session called fun with fondue and these are things that people can learn and these skills are spread throughout several surrounding areas.
“I can do the things I want to do and things important to the community,” said Kile. “Everyone I’ve met is so friendly.”
Even though Kile hasn’t had much time to learn how the extension works she has picked up a few things from a lot of familiar faces at the courthouse office. Since she started her new job on July 29 she has already had a chance to get her feet wet with the 2010 Garvin County Fair.
The fair was a chance for Kile to learn things from the ground up by helping in areas from recording judging results, helping kids understand criteria for being in events and setting up or taking down displays. She said she thinks it will get easier as things go along and hopes to remember most of it next time around.
“Of course I’m asking questions left and right,” said Kile. “I always invite help because I don’t know it all, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Kile does not have a background in FFA or 4-H, but she can trace her agriculture experience to the cattle farming her dad did as a side business when she was growing up. She also said she can relate to those who lived off the land, since they also planted some of the food they ate.
“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty,” said Kile. “There were a lot of wonderful memories growing up.”
Kile said the best thing about the job so far is seeing the pride in people’s face when they accomplish something like winning a prize at the fair. She said she hopes to address concerns that people have in the areas she travels, which can include other counties, and that she sees plenty of potential that fit her goals of making lives better.
When Kile isn’t working in the area, she likes to spend time with her three children - Carson, 12, Shelby, 6, and her oldest, Garrett, 17.
She hopes that Carson, who is interested in what his mom does almost daily, decides to become a part of 4-H for the leadership skills and confidence building.
“I’m not going to come up with everything on my own, the community is going to come up with ideas and we’re going to go from there,” said Kile. “I even have a focus group at my house.”
Arts & History
Related Photos
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Carrie Kile, the new OSU extension educator for Garvin County, is a Wynnewood Native who is getting adjusted to the rigors of what the service is all about. Her first major event was the 2010 Garvin County Fair and she is this week’s Noteworthy Neighbor. Ezra Mann
Discussion
New extension agent ready for lessons
Noteworthy Neighbor
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