Breawna Caldwell’s Summer Internship
Grain Origination Specialist Intern with ADM
I spent the 2022 summer as an intern with ADM. ADM is one of the world’s largest nutrition companies. My internship title was a Grain Origination Specialist Intern. I was placed in an office in Mendota, IL. This internship was an experience to learn and grow as a young professional, as well as gain experience in a part of the agriculture industry I was not as knowledgeable in.
My summer began with Intern Orientation in Decatur, IL. This took place between Millikan University and North American Regional Headquarters. Besides being orientated for our specific internship role for the summer, we learned about the various parts of the company, toured headquarters facilities, had opportunities to make connections with employees from ADM, and make connections with other interns in different business sectors within ADM. After the week in Decatur, I moved to Mendota, IL. The Mendota office was in charge of originating and merchandising for all Northern Illinois ADM facilities. The facilities ranged from river terminals, to rail terminals, to country elevator locations. In Mendota, I learned about the daily tasks involved in F.O.B. Trucking, Origination, and Merchandising. Our business office sat on the same property as a brand new wheat mill, which gave me the opportunity to tour that and learn about the wheat milling process, as well. For the majority of the summer, I had the opportunity to write a daily commodity market commentary and outlook that was shared within our office. I also was in charge of the daily bid sheets; collecting, compiling and sending out daily bids for the rail, river and country terminals, as well as the wheat mill. In addition to all the learning and daily tasks, I completed a summer long project on the delivery process, created elevator maps for truckers, compiled a competitor analysis on the acquisition of a new rail terminal, and recorded the yearly production levels in IL for office use.
While working in Mendota, I lived in North Utica, IL at the Grand Bear Lodge and Resort. I was close to Matthiessen State Park and Starved Rock State Park, where I hiked 51 miles across the entire summer. I visited Wisconsin once during the summer to hike because of my close proximity, as well. Beyond hiking, I spent the summer exploring local food and attractions in rural areas of Northern Illinois.
This internship was a wonderful experience for my last summer as a Purdue student. In prior summers, I have had internships that have been 100% Agronomy related, so I am so grateful for the opportunity this summer to explore other career options within the agriculture field. I am now in my last semester as a Purdue student. I will be graduating in December with a degree in Agronomy: Crop and Soil Management and a degree in Agribusiness: Commodity Marketing, as well as a minor in Farm Management. I am so grateful for my time spent at Purdue and I can’t wait to see what this last semester holds, as well as my future after Purdue!