Internships, experience, interiews ... advice for all
By Brooke Tacker, posted 3/23/06

The best way to learn how to do something is to do it. This common philosophy is exactly what internships are meant to teach. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, an internship workshop was held through CAFNR Career Services meant to teach students what internships were about, hear from some students who had already completed internships and get ideas for what opportunities are out there. There were six CAFNR students present to answer any questions and share their experiences.

Heather Heaton, an animal science major, interned at the St. Louis Zoo last summer. An internship gives one, “Experience and puts you one step forward,” Heaton said.  “[An internship] helps you know if you want to do it [the job] or not.”

CAFNR Career Services offers many resources to help students find an internship based on what they want. They begin by asking you to explore who you are and what you want.

Adam Brinker, an agribusiness management major, applied for five or six different internships last summer. “I wanted to be picking them, not them picking me. I wanted to be able to take the job I wanted,” Brinker said.

Brandon Kliethermes, an agriculture economics major, changed his idea of what he wanted to do after his internship at the Kansas City Board of Trade.

“I started out wanting to be a trader, but now want to do marketing and web design, more of the broker role,” Kliethermes said.

Through his internship, Kliethermes got the chance to go on a business trip with the CEO to Chicago and there he met international people and learned that a second language is very important.

“Networking is a huge thing. Be very involved on campus because you never know who you’re going to run into or how they will help you in the future. Always put on your game face and be positive,” Brinker said.

“Don’t say anything about anyone. Be careful what you say because it will come back to you. Assume that everyone knows everyone so that you won’t burn any bridges,” Kliethermes said.

The next step is to take a good look at the work world. Find jobs you are interested in and research them. One of the most important points stressed at the workshop was to know the company where you are applying. Do some research. This will help the interview process go smoother.

“Know your target audience. Anything your company is interested in, you should be interested in,” Rachel Nivens, an agriculture economics major, who interned with the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri State Fair, said.           

The next step is to make sure you have the tools you need to be successful. Prepare your résumé and have it reviewed by a professional. Make sure you have your interview outfit ready to go.

“The way you dress in internships or interviews is very important. You need an up front professional appearance. You can never overdress, but you can always undress,” Kliethermes said.

The last step is to get out there and start interviewing.

“Everyone has to do them [interviews.] Everyone hates them,” said Heaton.

“Don’t be intimidated. At my interview there were two people in the room with me. We sat down and had a conversation. Remember, it’s about you,” Jill Kohut, an agribusiness management major, who interned with Farm Credit Services, said.

The actual internship will teach you something whether it is what you want to do for a job, a possibility of where you want to work or just what you don’t want to do. The experience from the internship is valuable no matter which way you look at it.

Kohut’s favorite thing about interning with Farm Credit Services was working with loan officers and helping farmers get loans.

“The internship was hands-on every day. I had my own office and my own computer. I had people around to help. You learn things you can’t learn from a book, like making mistakes and learning how to fix them.”

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone has been in the spot that you are in,” Heaton said.

CAFNR Career Services offers résumé reviews, on-campus trial interviews, several resources for writing cover letters and resumes, job search strategies, interview guides and much more. It also offers an online site where students can connect with employees, mentors and alumni, find out about internship and full-time job opportunities and even sign-up for on-campus interviews. One can also find out about career fairs, recruitment events and set up individual appointments with staff to answer and questions. For more information visit the CAFNR Career Services Web site, or contact Stephanie Chipman, director of CAFNR Career Services at chipmans@missouri.edu.

> Back to Corner Post Home