Don’t be afraid to try something out of your comfort zone or what you “think” you want. You may find you are good at and enjoy something you never thought of.
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Analytical Research Intern
May - August 2019 • Sioux Falls, SD
What I liked
I was given a lot of freedom to plan my days and how I was going to complete my research project. It was also cool to work for a private company and feel the excitement they had for the ethanol industry and commercializing products. My project was also not arbitrary and was producing value for the company.
What I wish was different
I was given a lot of opportunities to test out different experiences within the company, but I ended up being too busy with my project to shadow someone in the yeast/enzyme lab, which really interested me. It was my choice not to do that so I could complete other things, but it was still a bummer.
Advice
Communicate as openly as possibly with your bosses and coworkers. Try to form relationships. If you feel like some days there is no measurable progress or end goal, just continue working hard and make sure that at the end of your short time you know you put your best foot forward.
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Public policy intern
May - August 2017 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I met with congressmen, staffers, and third-party consultants to learn more about the politics of ethanol fuels.
What I wish was different
-
Advice
Take a lot of notes throughout your internship: on overall experience and specific things you learned. Keep business cards, connect with people on LinkedIn, take your boss/coworkers on informational interviews. Learn as much as you can.
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Safety intern
May - August 2018 • Caro, MI
What I liked
Co workers were great and I definitely learned a lot
What I wish was different
I wish they would have had an opening for me to fill after the internship ended
Advice
Push companies to see if they have openings before taking the offer
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Grain Buyer Intern
May - August 2018 • Chancellor, SD
What I liked
The hands on experience.
What I wish was different
More to do throughout the day.
Advice
How beneficial it is to get the hands on experience.
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Merchandising Intern
June - October 2020 • Sioux Falls, SD
What I liked
Everyone in the office was so kind and welcoming. There was never a day I dreaded to see my co-workers. I enjoyed talking to my customers every week and I was given responsibilities to take care of their needs. I learned so much about myself and gained several new skills.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have gotten to know my customers better and perhaps even face to face. COVID-19 altered my internship in length of employment and no out in the country visits.
Advice
Don't ever be afraid to try something new and set out of your comfort zone, there are people out their who have so much to teach us younger people.
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Environmental Health and Safety Intern
May - August 2019 • Marion, OH
What I liked
Very nice people, always welcoming and they were open to helping me any time I needed it. They had a lot of trust in me from the start and it created a very supportive learning environment
What I wish was different
Probably taking on more projects. There were some times I didn't know what to do so I would just do safety walkthroughs
Advice
Know what you would like to achieve with your time wherever you go.
