By Laurie Bedord, Future Ag Communicators Committee
AAEA The Ag Communicators Network is excited to announce that it is accepting applications for two internships for the summer of 2021.
The first undergraduate student in agricultural communications will be chosen to work as an editorial communications intern for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) in Bloomington, Illinois.
“ISA is proud of the recent relaunch of our magazine, Illinois Field & Bean. It offers an exciting opportunity for an editorial intern to work on farmer-focused writing assignments covering both checkoff and membership programs,” says Rachel Peabody, Director of Communications, Illinois Soybean Association. “He or she will also enjoy working in a multi-faceted communications environment that includes not only editorial writing, but extending our magazine’s reach through social media posts, media pitches, newsletter stories, and content for ilsoy.org.”
As part of the Illinois Soybean Association team, the intern needs to have excellent writing and editing skills for a variety of different copy needs. He or she should also be a strong communicator and have the ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
A second student will be selected for a marketing communications internship with broadhead in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This opportunity will provide a range of experiences including:
- assisting with the creation and distribution of multimedia news releases, social media content, and blog posts
- working closely with digital strategists on projects that involve websites, apps, and other digital experiences
- learning and using Google Analytics to assist in the analysis of website performance
- writing and interviewing client experts for content development to be used in print and digital formats
“We were honored to host the marketing communications summer intern, Michaela Simcoe, in 2017 and had the most wonderful experience,” says Marguerite Haggerty, Human Resources Manager, broadhead. “I’m proud to say we hired Michaela full-time immediately after she graduated, and she has been a successful employee for nearly two years. We want to provide a positive internship experience for another student and give him or her opportunities within the ag marketing and communications industry long after the internship ends.”
Candidates for the broadhead internship should possess strong writing and editing skills. He or she should also have the ability to work in a close-knit, collaborative team environment.
Each intern will earn a $4,500 stipend for the 8- to 10-week assignment, $1,000 toward travel costs as well as a paid registration to attend Agricultural Media Summit in Kansas City, Missouri, from July 31 to August 4, 2021.
The editorial internship is made possible through AAEA The Ag Communicators Network’s Professional Improvement Foundation. The marketing internship is made possible through the generosity of Gardner & Gardner Communications and Mod Op (Sage Communications).
Internship applications are available at AAEA The Ag Communicators Network website.
If you know of a student who has the necessary skills, along with a passion for our profession, please pass along this information. And be sure to forward this announcement to the ACT advisor at your alma mater!
All applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than Monday, February 15, 2021.