Internships
This summer, the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics has more than 60 students participating in for-credit internships in locations spanning the United States. Students are on-campus at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, in Washington, D.C., all along the coast and out West in the Rocky Mountains gaining first-hand experiences putting classroom knowledge with experiential learning. These transformative out-of-classroom experiences help students get out of their comfort zone, develop their professional skills, and gain experience in their respective fields. We are proud of our students for seeking new experiences!
I decided to pursue this internship because I want to be an attorney one day. I want to practice law in a small town much like the one I am currently working in. I want to serve my community that is otherwise forgotten. I want them to know that they have legal channels to use to their benefit.
Jessica Norris
Environmental Economics and Management Intern
Cadle Law Firm
My work has been much easier due to my experience with Excel. A lot of the projects that I have completed within my AAEC classes that were extremely difficult have given me a robust toolkit for achieving my tasks within the workplace. Understanding how to navigate a pivot table has led me to be included in more advanced projects than I was originally supposed to be working on.
Haden Drake
Environmental Economics and Management Intern
Mohawk Industries
Jeanne Goldstein, HFIM, Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel
What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?
My favorite part of my internship so far has been rotating around the different Food & Beverage sectors at the Georgia Center. From working to the ballroom and serving in the Savannah Room, to learning to cook behind the line, this Internship has given me the opportunity to learn and grow within Hospitality right on campus. I am so excited to keep learning new things!
Describe your day-to-day:
Today I shadowed chefs behind the kitchen, and learned to make multiple dishes. My favorite dish that I made today would have to be the Watermelon & Feta salad. I learned the set up and how to be efficient as possible behind the line! After I was behind the line, I learned how to prep foods and how to cut foods correctly. On other days, I am in the Savannah room serving and collaborating with other workers! Or, I’m on the bistro hotline serving food to Hotel guests and employees! It just depends on the day! However, all of the Departments at the Georgia Center work together for exceptional service.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your internship either personally or professionally or both?
My biggest takeaway from my internship is to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and do things that you never done before. This is my first internship, and I didn’t know how everything worked. However, this internship has given me a space to learn as much as I can, and to see what could be my future.
How have you been able to apply your coursework within your position?
Absolutely! During my Internship, I have applied knowledge from the intro course when navigating how different departments at the Georgia Center operate. The HFIM 3160 course at the University of Georgia covers professional development and preparation to facilitate effective career management. The course must be completed prior to the internship. HFIM 3160 has prepared me for this internship by focusing on resume building, workplace professionalism/dress code, and interview skills. This course has taught me how to create a LinkedIn profile, obtain an Arch Ready Professional Certificate, and offer various networking opportunities.
I credit [HFIM 3160], taught by Leta Salazar, for pushing me to put myself out there and make that connection. After the [Career] Fair, I reached back out to discuss potential opportunities [...] I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a program like UGA HFIM that not only offers so many opportunities for growth, but also motivates students to actively seek out and pursue professional experiences.
Winnie Carnes
Hospitality and Food Industry Management Intern
Reynolds Oconee
My favorite part of the internship is the fact that the company cares not just about getting a job done, but believes in the importance of truly understanding what you’re doing and why and are invested in my future. My course work helped put me in the mindset to learn and adapt to what my company asks of me. With my coursework, I have been able to understand real world applications such as environmental factors that are prevalent in real estate law.
Mason Loyd
Environmental and Applied Economics Intern
Knight Law Firm, LLC
Joey Blackstock, AAEC, Cox Enterprises
What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?
In Risk Management, we support the entire enterprise by predicting risk, preventing losses, and preparing for when losses occur. Insurance is a common treatment for a company's risk, but right now the insurance market is in a 'hard market'. This mostly means insurance costs are rising. In response, I was able to build a model to help leadership understand how our insurance programs have been affected, offering insight during strategy sessions. This project will continue to be helpful as renewals come up and the market fluctuates.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your internship either personally or professionally or both?
I have learned to remain flexible and open to innovative ways to treat risk. Cox operates a wide range of businesses and in Risk Management, we support the entire enterprise. Those operations vary greatly and consist of controlled environment agriculture, telecommunication, auto auctions, and many others. Therefore, the risks which Cox faces vary greatly. Each business unit has unique needs, and a risk manager must be flexible to find solutions to treat risk (insurance, retention, transfer of liability, etc.). There is no 'one size fits all'.
Finally, could you expand on how you decided to pursue the internship you will be participating in?
For quite some time I have been interested in working in risk management and insurance (RMI). Corporate risk management is an interesting facet of this industry, especially after interning in a similar role last summer. When I came across the posting for this position with Cox on LinkedIn, I decided to apply because I knew Cox was a well-respected company. I also knew Cox was investing heavily in agriculture, now being the largest greenhouse operator in North America, which was a great way to mesh my interests in RMI and agriculture. Also, from my very first interview, I got along well with the team. Between all of these considerations, it was an easy decision when I was offered the position.