Internship Success

Jessica Steger
Major: Dairy Science and Agricultural Business
Hometown: Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Anticipated graduation date: May 2019
Internship: Communications Intern, East Central/Select Sires

Thanks to a previous internship experience, Jessica Steger, a dairy science and agricultural business major, has found a career field she wants to focus on. Despite an original plan to work in a lab after graduation, she took a public relations internship last summer at the urging of Professor Steven Kelm and found her niche. Beginning this May, Jessica will spend three months as a communications intern with East Central/Select Sires to prepare herself for a career after graduation. 

What is your position and what will your responsibilities be?
"I will be a communications intern at East Central/Select Sires. The communications intern is responsible for a variety of projects in public relations, written communications, print advertising, and social media. I will be responsible for interviewing customers and writing feature articles for the company newsletter, as well as, writing general news releases and customer testimonials. In addition, [I] will represent East Central/Select Sires at numerous functions throughout the summer including dairy shows, county fairs, and producer activities. Other duties include taking photographs, developing and designing brochures and various types of ads, and assisting with social-media programs."

Did UW-River Falls faculty or staff play a role in your decision to apply for this internship?
"Dr. Steven Kelm (Animal and Food Science professor) did. I was in the dairy science internship program during the summer of 2016. During a visit, Dr. Kelm encouraged me to find another internship that was related to my interests. Before my previous internship, I wanted to work in a lab after graduation. The internship was a public relations position and it changed my interests fully. Dr. Kelm was one of my references when I applied to East Central/Select Sires."  

How will this internship experience prepare you for your career?
"I hope that it will offer me exposure to a different type of company. I also hope to gain skills and experience with social media, ads, etc. and hope to have more exposure creating ads and social media campaigns. I would also like to learn about customer and public outreach. These skills combined will help me moving forward."

Where do you see yourself in five years?
"I do know that I want to have a career in agriculture. I would prefer that job to have some relationship to dairy because of my strong dairy background. After graduation, I will be looking for a career in ag business, communications or public relations. I am currently open to options that may come available to me."