directly reaching out to organizations of interest. Professional organizations, LinkedIn, and alumni networks are also critical.” Dr. Alston adds that, “The most successful students are proactive, intentional, and consistent in their outreach efforts rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them.” Persistence is often the difference between landing an internship and a summer job. Follow through on conversations and follow up with action, whether it’s applying online, sending an email, connecting on LinkedIn, or sending a thank-you note. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY You’ve landed your internship; now how do you make the most of it? “This is your chance to ensure you’re in the area of agriculture that is the best fit for you,” shared Dr. Yeager. “Immerse yourself in the company to get a feel for the culture,” added Yeager. Internships allow you to learn more about a potential future employer, but also more about yourself. Do you prefer working indoors or outdoors? Remote or in an office? For a small entrepreneurial company or a large corporation? Dr. Yeager suggests that students use the internship to “learn more about themselves and their interests while also discovering different opportunities, their likes and dislikes of certain companies, and how to be a good employee in the future.” BUILDING ON CLASSROOM KNOWLEDGE “Internships complement classroom learning by translating theory into practice,” states Dr. Alston. Your college classes give you the knowledge and concepts you need to succeed, but internships help you put that learning into action. Through internships, you can apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations, build practical skills, make professional decisions, and gain valuable hands-on experience. AgCareers asked agriculture and food employers which skills they seek in new graduates, and over 40% reported that recent grads did not have important workplace skills at the time of hiring. Employers identified the biggest gaps in problem-solving, decision-making, and verbal communication. While classes help you build these skills, hands-on experiences like internships, part-time jobs, and other work opportunities are essential for practicing and strengthening the skills employers value most. Dr. Alston recommends that “Students should approach internships with intentionality, setting clear goals, seeking feedback regularly, building relationships, and taking initiative beyond assigned tasks.” Interns should reflect on their experiences, document accomplishments, and connect their work to career goals. Ideally, your internship manager will provide regular feedback, along with a mid-term and final review. Since the goal of most internships is to provide a learning experience, prepare yourself to accept feedback, both positive and negative. Always ask your manager for suggestions to enhance your performance and enrich your learning experience. What can I do better? What can I improve on? How can I be more helpful to the organization during my internship? “The most successful students treat internships as extended interviews and professional development opportunities rather than short-term obligations,” added Dr. Alston. FIND YOUR NEXT INTERNSHIP AND START BUILDING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE TODAY—EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES NOW ON: www.AgCareers.com Data provided by the AgCareers HR Review, Skills Survey, Internship Program Benchmark. PHOTO: Drobot Dean – stock.adobe.com
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