AgAmerica’s Summer Internship Program Recap

One of AgAmerica’s core values is that we are learners. And as learners, we are passionate about facilitating the education of our young leaders—by cultivating a company culture where interns can grow and develop both professionally and personally.??

A Reimagined Summer Internship Program?

This summer, AgAmerica’s Talent and Training department sought to enhance?our internship program into something even more immersive and beneficial to both our interns and organization.??

As we continue to build the program, our goal is?to create additional opportunities for career growth and a better taste of AgAmerica’s revolutionary culture.??

Through hands-on learning, the interns experienced a corporate environment and discovered their career interests—all while networking and building relationships.??

“The program focuses on each student’s personal growth by identifying their strengths, facilitating personal development training, promoting weekly goal setting, and hosting networking events to build connections for the future.”

Kendall Southall, Talent Development Manager???

The Intern Experience?

At AgAmerica, the intern experience is critical. Our goal is for interns to leave their internship with more skills and clearer career goals than when they began their journey.?

Kickoff Week?

Kickoff week was one of the newest additions to the Summer Internship Program (and an intern favorite). The week was designed to set the stage for internship expectations and program goals. During kickoff week, interns participated in team-building activities that helped them understand the importance of effective communication.??

The week began with a Predictive Index session to show the interns the best ways to communicate and work with one another.?The Predictive Index is a measurement of communication behaviors and helps teams understand how they can best relate to one another. ?

Throughout the week, they were able to explore local businesses while getting to know their 2022 summer cohort better. Some activities included visiting the Lakeland Escape Room and Keel Farms. It culminated with a dessert social where interns had the opportunity to network with other AgAmericans.?

“By visiting successful companies and getting a behind-the-scenes tour, you get a better understanding of what makes or breaks a company. Plus, you learn about their unique perspectives on their commitment to employees, customers, and services.”

Kendall Southall, Talent Development Manager?

Purposeful Learning?

Another impactful addition to the program was the introduction of reflection activities that encouraged interns to think critically about their professional development. Every week,?interns wrote a weekly summary where they set goals for the following week and discussed their takeaways from the prior week.??

In addition to weekly takeaways, every Thursday, interns met to discuss a professional development book they read titled Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture that Wins the Hearts of Customers by Dee Ann Turner. Interns were partnered with one another to deliver a presentation on what they learned from the book and how it applies to their roles at AgAmerica.??

From the Desk of AgAmerica’s Interns?

There’s no one better to share about AgAmerica’s Summer Internship Program than the interns themselves.??

"I have really enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and opportunities given to me as an intern."

Reese Tittel, Post-Closing Department Intern???

“Not only did we get to do a bunch of cool things with each other, we learned so much about other companies and how they work in the ag environment.”

Natalia Garcia, Information Technology Intern?

“It was cool to see everyone come together during the activities and to see how the Predictive Index translates to problem-solving and teamwork from the in-office activities to the Escape Room.”

Presley Philpot, Office of the CEO Intern?

Cultivating Young Talent?

AgAmerica’s Summer Internship Program aims to create an engaging learning environment where students gain valuable experience that ultimately helps them in their careers post-graduation. And after they graduate, some choose to stay with us as full-time AgAmericans. By investing in young talent, we are investing in the future of ag finance.??

Learn more about a career with AgAmerica here.??