The World Pork Expo was not only buzzing with pig farmers and industry leaders, it was also full of interns serving the pork industry and dipping their toes into their futures in the pork industry. Of course, all the intern “duties as assigned” may not be glamorous, they do build character and help young people. As one intern supervisor reminded me, “We all need to know what it takes to move up the ladder. Proving you can do the small things well makes you that much more ready to take on the big things.”
Here’s a look at what some talented young swine industry interns were up to at World Pork Expo.
Lauren Meier, Promotions and Communications Intern
Iowa Pork Producers Association
What Kept Her Busy at WPX: Meier had the opportunity to work in Iowa Pork’s hospitality tent. At the tent, she was able to meet and discuss important topics with pork industry leaders and pig farmers from all around the world. Part of her job was to share what IPPA does for producers and the pork industry. From meeting pork industry professionals to helping serve food, she says it was an exciting two days at WPX.
What She Learned: Although WPX was only two days, Meier says she gained knowledge and experience that will last a lifetime. From talking with producers from China, Vietnam and Peru, she learned the many ways pork production occurs in different cultures across the globe, as well as locally. Visiting with several companies also exhibiting at WPX, she says she realized the never-ending career opportunities that the swine industry has to offer. Most importantly, meeting so many people in the industry reminded her of the importance of connections in the agricultural industry.
Ellie Staggs, Swine Sales Intern
Elanco Animal Health
What Kept Her Busy at WPX: During the show, Staggs was able to connect with not only people across the Elanco Swine Business Unit, but also in other sectors of the swine industry. She sat in on sales meetings and experienced organic conversations that opened her eyes to new perspectives of the swine industry. She also assembled “a very complicated” display for the booth and patio furniture, in addition to stocking and restocking drink coolers.
What She Learned: Only a few weeks into my internship, Staggs says WPX was a great experience to help build her network and see even more how interconnected the industry is.
Samantha Moser, Public Relations Intern
Minnesota Pork
What Kept Her Busy at WPX: Moser spent the majority of her time attending seminars and connecting and networking with others. Her favorite seminars delved into consumer segmentation and the Real Pork Trust Consortium. She said she loved the concept of these new marketing and communications strategies for reaching consumers.
What She Learned: This was Moser’s first time to attend WPX and she says it exceeded her expectations. She had so much fun and learned a lot while making many great connections and memories. She can’t wait to go back in the future. Her biggest takeaway was that the industry needs to meet the consumer where they are. In the past, she said she had only thought about educating the consumer and trying to bring them to where the industry was. She can now see how this strategy has a much higher chance at success instead of trying to change people’s minds and lifestyles.
Ben Rogers, Veterinary Intern
Pipestone Veterinary Services
What Kept Him Busy at WPX:
In his internship, he is learning about what it is like to be a swine veterinarian by visiting different farms with veterinarians, collaboratively developing strategies to combat health challenges producers commonly face. He is also working on a research project. Rogers said he was thankful for the opportunity to attend World Pork Expo to network and meet industry professionals. He says it was an amazing opportunity to connect with producers, veterinarians, nutritionists and other students within the industry.What He Learned: Rogers says the swine industry really feels like a family, as everyone is working towards the common goal of keeping the pigs they treat and the people that consume pork products safe and healthy. He adds that the World Pork Expo was a great way to celebrate everything the industry has accomplished and worked towards over the past year.
Brie Duhe, Iowa State University Swine Veterinary Internship Program Intern
Boehringer Ingelheim
What Kept Her Busy at WPX: Duhe traveled with the Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) team to Des Moines where she spent time walking through and looking at all the exhibits, both veterinary- and production-related. She was able to network with different veterinarians about the vaccines they use, how they approach swine nutrition and the different tools that make their systems work more efficiently. She also gathered tips about finishing vet school and handling her career post-grad. One of her other duties was to pick up pig cookies for the BI team Wednesday and Thursday morning in Ames before the show started.
What She Learned: Duhe had no idea how advanced technology in the pork industry had become until attending WPX. The most novel thing she learned about was a new technique to induce post-cervical artificial insemination, and the specific tools they use to do so. She says the ingenuity of the device impressed her, and it is something she’d like to try and use as a practicing veterinarian someday. She also had great conversations with BI vets about her summer project -- discussing project details and design while being inspired to add another experimental group to her project to improve validity after a particularly engaging and helpful discussion. She’s also quick to point out she ate a ton of great food and mingled with many wonderful people.
Ella Thome, Swine Sales Intern
Cargill
What Kept Her Busy at WPX: During WPX, Thome met with industry professionals, producers and swine enthusiasts in her role as a swine sales intern for Cargill.
What She Learned: The biggest thing Thome took away was reinforcement that this industry is filled with knowledgeable people who care a lot about the industry as a whole.
