Junior, University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Marketing Services Intern with Vita Plus
Based in Madison, Wisconsin

Background
Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree?
I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural marketing communications with a minor in agricultural business.

Q. What is your dairy background?
I grew up on my family’s registered Holstein dairy operation near Unity, Wisconsin. Currently, my dad and two brothers are milking about 300 cows. I assisted with feeding calves, yard work and tractor driving during the harvest seasons.  

Q. What previous internship positions have you held?
I served as the intern for the Wisconsin State Fair agricultural department. After exhibiting at the fair for eight years, it was a great opportunity to see and assist with the behind the scenes activities.

In addition, I will write several stories for the bimonthly calf care e-newsletter and assist with the communications and promotions for Vita Plus Calf Summit 2012.

Q. What do you hope to have learned by the end of your internship?
I hope to gain real world experience in the marketing world of the agricultural industry.

Q. What intrigues you most about the company or organization where you're interning?
Interning with a company that has strong core values shows how much they care about the agricultural industry. We are not just employees or coworkers but also teammates who work to better everyone’s safety, communication, attitude, commitment, performance and quality.

Q. What can you do to make a meaningful impact during your internship?
Not holding back. Take every opportunity I have to learn more or to help others learn from us and the importance of the agricultural industry.

Q. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of your internship duties?
Taking the skills I have learned an applying them to the best of my abilities and always providing the best I can do to be successful and help Vita Plus succeed.

Future plans
Q. What do you hope to do after graduation?
I will be graduating May of 2013 and hope to find a marketing career in the agricultural industry. It is important that we educate everyone about the importance of agriculture now more than ever. Farmers need as much support as they can receive for them to succeed.

Q. Why do you want to remain a part of the dairy (or agricultural) industry?
The agricultural industry is a great industry to grow up in and be a part of. It’s rewarding to know we have produced food and fibers for the world’s growing population. Everyone is connected to agriculture somehow — some more indirect than others.  PD

Do you know of a 2012 dairy or agricultural intern who would like to be featured? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to email Editor Emily Caldwell.

Click here to learn about Progressive Dairyman's internship program.