Growing the Future: Insights from Our Interns Part 2

This summer, Premier was fortunate to welcome a group of passionate and driven individuals who brought fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our fields and offices. With their internships now complete, we asked them to reflect on their experiences, the lessons they learned, and their goals for the future. Catch up on part one of this series to learn more about where these interns started and what they were hoping to get out of this internship.

Q: What were your primary duties this summer as an intern?

Jackson Metz (JM): I act as a first point of contact for three growers as well as help with operations and general scouting.

Brooks Werner (BW): Agronomy sales.

Hannah Kerkhof (HK): Making a photo bank, creating content for the social media accounts, researching Podcast analytics and strategies, and other various marketing tasks.

Emma Hadley (EH): Help around different agronomy plants.

Kate Spurgeon (KS): I was the agronomy intern based out of Seymour IN, I rode with many different Account Managers where I learned how each of them operate and manage accounts. I also was responsible for pulling tissue samples on corn, soybeans, and tomatoes. I took around 150 total tissue samples. I also was responsible for making and helping put up Answer Plot signs. I did a lot of scouting fields. And random jobs for the good people at Premier!

Christian Mehne (CM): I was assigned three accounts and my duties are to manage their applications and assist them in any way necessary through these summer months. This ranges from scouting their fields for applications to having talks with them about what we may need to change so they can grow the best crops possible.

Q: What did you enjoy most about the internship?

JM: I enjoyed being able to interact with growers and work with them to a common goal.

BW: Meeting new people and working with growers.

HK: I enjoyed getting to meet and work with so many of the Premier staff members and getting more familiar with the workings of a marketing department.

EH: Being able to help with plots and meet new people.

KS: I really enjoyed getting to know all the Account Managers and lovely people at Premier. I also enjoyed meeting farmers and building relationships. And just learning a lot throughout the whole internship, from weeds to fungicide.

CM: My favorite part about the internship is working with my customers and then going back to see the success that followed the decisions we made.

Q: Do you have a memorable moment or highlight from your internship experience?

JM: Interacting with customers has been the most memorable so far.

BW: Riding with Steve Kohlsdorf.

HK: It is always a good time working with Glenn. I also like talking through podcast strategy with Sal, Ryan, and Katie.

EH: When me and Logan Hall were walking in a field and a big snake came out in front of him.

KS: I really enjoyed working alongside Emily, Emma, Dylan, Caroline, and Jackson at the Answer Plot to put up all the retail signs. It was a hot day but it was fun to work with some awesome folks.

CM: The agronomy trainings that have been spread throughout the summer are always really great days and when you leave you feel like you’ve taken another step forward in experience.

Q: What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your internship?

JM: I learned how to communicate with growers as well as gained more knowledge in chemical uses.

BW: New agronomist skills, understanding of ag chemistry and adjuvants.

HK: My picture taking and video editing skills grew exponentially.

EH: Different uses of chemicals and different seed types.

KS: I learned a lot during this internship. I learned a lot of weed ID and more about corn and soybeans than I ever had before. Also just learned a lot more about the responsibilities of account managers.

CM: Some skills on how to talk to customers with topics that are harder to do like having to respray fields. I feel that I have also grown a lot in my agronomic knowledge.

Q: Has this internship influenced your career plans or interests? If so, how?

JM: I believe this internship has influenced me to pursue a career in sales.

BW: Yes, it helped me understand this is something I could see myself doing as a career.

HK: Yes, I am now more confident in my ability to work with content creation, this opened up more opportunities for me.

EH: It’s sparked my interest in ag even more.

KS: I came into the internship not sure of what I wanted to do after graduation and now I am very interested in becoming an Account Manager.

CM: Yes, I have been working on possibly coming back after college for a full time role.

Q: How do you plan to use the skills and experiences gained from this internship in your future endeavors?

JM: I plan to use the techniques and knowledge I’ve learned in future interactions with growers.

BW: In my career.

HK: I plan to explore more options in the Marketing field, as opposed to just the journalism path I had planned on.

EH: I plan to continue to help farmers out with their needs.

KS: Hopefully I can use these new skills everyday if I become an Account Manager at Premier Ag.

CM: The experiences I gained this summer will be used for the rest of my career because it all plays a huge role when trying to farm myself as well as anywhere I will use agronomy in other jobs.

Q: What advice would you give to future interns at Premier?

JM: I would say just go and try. Do not be afraid to give it your best because you’re probably at least close and do not be afraid to take an opportunity to do something different within the co-op.

BW: Be willing to help in any way possible.

HK: Get to know people. The company culture is great.

EH: Never have a plan because it’s mostly last minute planning!

KS: Take advantage of all the opportunities you can have, and don’t be afraid to make opportunities yourself. Everyone at Premier is willing to help you learn and grow during your time here. If you want to do something feel free to speak up and don’t be shy. Always ask lots of questions because ultimately internships are a great opportunity and time to learn to see what you like or don’t like.

CM: Communicate with Sal if you feel that you want to explore another part of the company because even if the role of your internship is not where you feel you would fit, there are many other places within the company that might interest you.

Q: What are your next steps or plans after completing this internship?

JM: I plan to finish school in December and return to be an Account Manager.

BW: Go back to college for my junior year.

HK: I have one year of Purdue left, who knows where I will be after this!

EH: I am going to continue working at a large vet office.

KS: I am planning to go back to Purdue to finish my last year..

CM: Finding my full time career that may end up being with Premier.

 

We had a great group of interns this summer, and look forward to seeing what they do in the future! At Premier, we value our interns and look to share in their growth and success. If you are interested in a paid summer internship with Premier, contact our team to get started!