A Trio of Internships

By: Kirstie Martin

Lauren Rosburg

Major: Agricultural Communications and Animal Science Year: Junior Role: Marketing Intern for Smithfield This past summer, Lauren Rosburg completed an internship with Smithfield, serving as the company’s marketing intern in Naperville, Illinois. Rosburg focused on marketing tactics for their three different brands. Central to her internship, Rosburg completed a data analysis over their market to identify gaps and learn what competitors were doing.

“I really got to play a lot of crucial roles with Smithfield’s social media,” Rosburg said. “I was the go between within the agencies and worked to maintain a balance in what was best for the brand and social media.”

Smithfield also flew Rosburg out to their headquarters in Virginia where she delivered a final presentation to the executive team. Rosburg’s presentation focused on her work that she accomplished throughout the summer, as well as the improvements she identified.

“Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone is important, whether that is where you go or what you do,” Rosburg said. “Don’t be afraid to share your perspective, because the worst they can say is no.”

Kaitlin George

Major: Economics, Agricultural Business and International Agriculture Minor: Supply Chain Management Year: Junior Role: Operations Management Intern for Cargill Kaitlin George’s internship with Cargill took place at an inland grain facility in Pipestone, Minnesota. While at Cargill, the company had three major ongoing construction projects including the installation of ladders in grain bins. As part of this project George was in charge of making sure construction employees were wearing gloves while working. George also had the opportunity to spend a day with the Cargill sales team. “I was out meeting farmers and Minnesota had a bad grain snap over the summer, so I got to see a lot of what the fields looked like and talk to farmers about how they wanted to market their grain,” George said. During her internship, Cargill took George and her fellow interns to Omaha, Neb. to meet other operations management interns and sales interns. While there, the group talked through what Cargill means to them and the components that make Cargill what it is today. George and her fellow interns also had the chance to meet and spend time with the CEO of Cargill. George also got to meet the people working on a Burlington Northern train line used to transport grain and how their process is facilitated. “I learned how important it is to transfer even one kernel of grain and complete all the steps,” George said. “If one person doesn’t understand something, it can mess up the whole thing.”

Rachel Grober

Major: Agricultural Business, Economics and Supply Chain Management Year: Sophomore Role: Retail Banking Intern for First Citizens Bank

As a retail banking intern for First Citizens Bank, Grober worked in New Hampton, Iowa and was also able to travel occasionally to the Mason City office. During her internship, Grober had the opportunity to work the teller line, participate in marketing events and process transactions. She also witnessed the underwriting of loans and sat in on a loan officer committee meeting.

Grober also got to attend the Iowa Bankers Association Summer Intern Conferences, representing First Citizens Bank. While working in New Hampton, Grober was able to assist with the marketing theme, “The Faces of First Citizen Bank”. During this project the employees had their faces printed out that were used to put a fun spin on events throughout town.

“This opportunity has changed the way I will approach things forever,” Grober said. “During my summer, I was continuously surrounded by people who challenged me to do better and be better. As a result, I felt that I was able to add value not only to the company, but also to the world of agriculture.”