Internships.

When you become a freshman in the agronomy department at Purdue, you hear the words “ag career fair” and “internships” on a weekly basis. Coming into Purdue, I figured I would spend my summers in college at home and working on the farm. However, that was not exactly what happened. 

In my freshmen seminar class, I was encouraged to attend the Fall Ag Career Fair. I decided to attend and see what all the fuss was about. I walked around and talked to several agricultural companies. Most of them said that they were not interested in freshman because I did not have enough experience and some were strictly looking for sophomores and juniors. I felt like there was nothing for me. But nevertheless, I found a few companies wanted some field scouts and were excited to see freshman interested. I talked to Co-Alliance and I was asked to get interviewed the very next day.

I interviewed the following day and decided to accept the offer to field scout seed corn fields in LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Starke County. I got to live at home and still help my dad on the farm when I was finished with scouting for the day. I was not expecting to work anywhere going into college, however, I received field experience identifying weeds, diseases, deficiencies, and other damages. I am glad I had the experience and look forward to other internships I will partake in as a Boilermaker.