Last fall, six students clicked a single button: submit. Located at universities across the country — Georgia, Idaho, Illinois and South Dakota — their paths aligned the moment they submitted their application to complete an internship with the American Angus Association.

“I grew up in the Angus industry, and as I got older I found out about the internships offered by the Association. I knew that an opportunity to combine my love for Angus cows with my drive for creativity in an internship setting would make for the perfect summer,” says Cassidy Strommen, Angus Media marketing intern.

After completing the school year, these six individuals packed up their lives and made their way to the office in Saint Joseph, Mo. 

Three months later, they are preparing to end their time with the Association, equipped with priceless experience and a newfound sense of confidence in their fields.

A culture of growth

“I think going into this experience, there was a lot that I didn’t expect,” says Shelby Greiman, intern with the events and junior activities team. “It can be really scary, but I think that’s where I grew the most as a person.”

Greiman is heading into her senior year at South Dakota State University (SDSU), and she says this internship has prepared her for a future career, teaching her how to think on her feet and solve problems. 

But more than that, she admits team culture was what made this experience a positive one.

Speaking to the team of four she worked with, Greiman says, “I look up to all of them, and I have gained so much from each and every one of them. They’ve all made my experience so much fun.”

Ashlyn Murdock, communications intern for the Association, agrees. 

“This summer, my mentor, Molly Biggs, has truly pushed me out of my comfort zone, but she has also been my biggest cheerleader,” Murdock shares. “It’s just very comforting to have a mentor that has been so welcoming and supportive of my big ideas.”

The supportive culture found within the Angus team was a common theme these interns encountered. 

Andre Lima and Sergio Sierra are both attending the University of Georgia, where they are pursuing doctorate degrees. They joined Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) this summer, helping with the various research projects the entity is leading. 

Lima describes the Angus environment simply, “People take care of me here.”

He says it’s been amazing to see how everyone cares so deeply about the Association and its members, no matter what position or role they are working in.

Sierra says he chose to come work with The Business Breed because he had two friends — previous AGI interns — who recommended the program to him. 

“It was inspiring for me to see how they grew … I wanted to incorporate that for me as well,” he says. 

He also admits it’s not your stereotypical internship experience. Sierra hasn’t once been asked to go on a coffee run, but he does get to work hands on with the AGI team, working on projects he hopes will positively influence the Angus breed.

“Understanding that this is going to be helpful and is actually going to lead to better genetic improvement of the breed is very, very rewarding,” Sierra explains. 

Do what you love

The interns have spent the last few months working on different teams and projects, but they’ve all gotten a chance to try new things and learn a variety of skills.

“Being able to learn from and work with a talented and friendly team has allowed me to sharpen a variety of practical marketing skills,” Strommen says. 

Murdock adds the experience has been similar on the communications side, explaining she has gotten a wide range of experience.

“I’ve learned a lot in videography, photography, social media … even advanced my writing skills,” she says. “I’ve just gotten to dip my toes in every little department in communications, and I think that’s very valuable for a student who is going into the workforce in a year.” 

For Murdock and Greiman, getting to attend the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Tulsa, Okla., was a standout experience of the summer.

“It was a whirlwind of a week, but I learned so much,” Murdock says.

Greiman says she attended a lot of Angus shows and events this summer, but she loved the opportunity to truly connect with junior members during the week of the NJAS. 

“That was the one where I was able to interact with juniors the most,” she shares. “I was able to be hands-on in the contests … it was just a really fun experience.”

Turning the page

Now, as they leave Saint Joseph and head back to their respective schools, these individuals have their eyes focused on the future. Wherever their paths might take them — the lab, the pasture or behind the lens — they all have one goal: to support the future of the agricultural industry.

That’s exactly what the Angus family hopes they prepared them to do.

As this team leaves, it’s almost time for the next group of Angus interns to press a button that changes the path of their lives, too. This group has a few pieces of advice for them. 

“Be yourself through and through to make the most of this experience,” Greiman advises. “The best thing you can do for yourself is to interact with [everyone] around you, because at the end of the day, we’re all there for the same reason — Angus cattle.”

Sierra agrees, stressing how everyone at the Association is willing to be a mentor if you’re willing to ask.

“Everybody’s willing to talk, to provide input from different areas of expertise,” he says. “You can talk to the ladies in the customer service; you can talk to any of the presidents of the different [entities] … everybody will give you some good piece of advice. The most important thing is to interact and learn.”

Sierra, Greiman and the rest of The Business Breed interns are closing in on the end of the summer. With fresh confidence and a shared passion for the industry, they return to their campuses ready to put what they’ve learned into practice. 

Soon, fall will be upon us again, and a fresh batch of hopeful candidates will submit their applications. It might be the end of this chapter, but it’s also the start of a new one.