By Brayden Hayes

I’ve always believed that stepping out of your comfort zone leads to personal growth—and last summer, I got the chance to prove it when I took an internship at Heritage Cooperative. Although I was not required at that point to get an internship for class requirements, I decided to get one just to gain some real-world knowledge and try to find a career I enjoyed.  

My entire freshman year, my professors pushed me to get an internship. I began looking online and I eventually stumbled upon Heritage Cooperative. Heritage is the second largest cooperative in the state of Ohio. With that in mind, the closest location was an hour from my house. I took a leap of faith and applied for the job and was hired. This also meant I had an hour’s drive to work every day. Looking back at that, it was the best use of gas because of the experience.  

As a student who studies agribusiness, I was unsure what to expect working for an agronomy company. My main tasks included field scouting, tissue sampling, and research on agronomy plots. It did not take long before I was absolutely engulfed in my new passion for agronomy work. Having to declare my minor in the near future, I have decided to pursue agriculture production or agronomy. The exposure I had in the internship helped guide me to make decisions about what I want to do with my education and life outside of school. 

I would highly encourage students to take advantage of as many internships as possible. The experiences were staggering, but nothing means more than the connections I made. I got to meet so many amazing people in the agricultural industry who are a wealth of knowledge and are now part of my network. I got to know many of these people personally and I now have valuable contacts for the future. 

Taking the leap of faith to try a summer internship is extremely beneficial. You might find something that you are super passionate about. On the flip side, you might discover that the internship isn’t work that you like but knowing what you don’t like can be just as valuable as knowing what you do.     

Written By Shaun Wellert, DVM, MS, DACVPM

A typical pre-professional program includes extensive coursework in biology, chemistry, and other fundamental sciences. These subjects form the core of prerequisite classes for aspiring medical doctors and veterinarians, providing essential knowledge for their future careers. When I began my journey to becoming a veterinarian, I followed a similar academic path, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. However, once I entered large animal practice, I quickly realized there were significant gaps in both my pre-veterinary and veterinary education.

Many of the diseases I encountered in farm animals and horses stemmed from poor animal husbandry or inadequate nutrition. While my upbringing on a dairy farm gave me valuable hands-on experience with dairy cattle, unfortunately, neither my undergraduate nor veterinary school coursework fully prepared me to understand the complexities of production animal nutrition.  I also lacked exposure many other animals that I would work on daily such as horses and beef cattle.

A strong foundation in both science and practical animal care is essential for students interested in large animal veterinary medicine. Understanding not just biological and chemical principles but also the fundamentals of animal husbandry and nutrition can make a significant difference in practice.

At Ohio State ATI, our Animal Sciences—Biosciences Specialization program provides students with this well-rounded education, combining coursework in chemistry and biology with hands-on training in animal husbandry and nutrition. This background is invaluable for veterinarians, especially those working in large animal medicine, where they interact daily with farmers and nutritionists to ensure animal health and productivity. Having this diverse knowledge base not only improves technical skills but also enhances communication and problem-solving abilities, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both animals and producers.

Written By Kylie Ramirez

Second year agriscience education student, Gracie Sprague, spent last summer with the Ohio Pork Council as their Pig Care and Education Specialist. 

“My time in this role was more than a job; it was a chance to apply the knowledge I’ve gained from my classes at Ohio State ATI and build a professional network,” Sprague said. “At ATI, our professors are committed to helping students secure meaningful summer employment, and this internship exemplifies the type of hands-on experience that prepares us for our future careers.” 

The Ohio State Fair, held in Columbus each summer, attracts over one million fairgoers throughout its 12-day span. Sprague said she interacted with fairgoers daily, educating them on the farrowing process, pig care practices, and the importance of responsible animal husbandry. 

For Sprague, the internship was a rewarding experience. She said, “I enjoyed sharing the industry and providing hands-on experience for people who don’t experience it every day.” 

Beyond the educational aspect, Sprague also built lasting professional relationships and expanded her network in the agricultural industry. “The skills I developed—communication, public relations, and animal care—are invaluable for my future career,” said Sprague. 

At Ohio State ATI, faculty help students seek available internships. “I’m thankful for the support and guidance I received to secure this meaningful experience,” said Sprague.  

As Gracie’s story demonstrates, internships are instrumental in gaining hands-on experience and fostering a deeper understanding of the industries students are passionate about. At Ohio State ATI, students are encouraged and supported in seeking opportunities that align with their academic and career goals.