Intern Update: Another Summer, Another Opportunity

05-10-2016 in Communications Internship

By: Haley Banwart, CSIF Intern

Opportunity came knocking at my door when I was invited to intern with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers for another summer. And because I had such a great experience the first time around, I simply couldn’t say no.

As I sit at my desk for the first time in months, I am reminded of why every summer is an important learning opportunity. After four years of undergraduate internships, some could call me a “seasoned” intern. But I prefer to think of myself as a life-long learner.

My motivation and passion to learn more about agriculture led me to pursue my Master’s in Agricultural Education at Iowa State University. I graduated from ISU in December with a double major in agricultural communications and journalism, and I recently finished my first semester as a full-time graduate student.

So how does a summer internship apply to my work as a graduate student? While some may consider me to be overeducated, I look at this internship as another opportunity to challenge myself and learn from the experience. I am focusing my graduate work on the study of agricultural communications. Working with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is the perfect place for me to put my skills and knowledge to the test.

Last summer, I wrote about my role in agriculture and where I envisioned myself in the future. Although I am still uncertain of “what I want to be when I grow up”, I am confident my second degree and continued communications internship will better prepare me for my dream job.

This summer, I am looking forward to working on new projects, meeting with new people and taking on new responsibilities. Reflecting on the past year, I realize how much I have grown both personally and professionally. A year from now, I will look back on my learning experiences with the same token of appreciation as I begin my career.

Recommended News