Author: ramirez.431

In The Field Friday: Raegan Alsept

Raegan Alsept, Heritage Cooperative

As a third-year agricultural communication student at Ohio State ATI, Raegan Alsept is interning with Heritage Cooperative. As their retail operations intern, Raegan’s summer has consisted of traveling to livestock shows across Ohio, while promoting all the brands they sell.

This internship has offered Raegan the best of both worlds. Raegan said, “I get the opportunity to travel in the show supply trailer, where I get to see how marketing and retail play a vital role in this industry. I also get to work in the retail stores, creating displays and building up my customer service skills.”

Raegan’s favorite part of her internship has been developing a new educational literature display for all the supplements Heritage carries. She has enjoyed traveling to different livestock shows, while building connections with exhibitors and their families.

In The Field Friday: Skyelar Rock

Skyelar Rock, Paint Valley Farms

Skyelar Rock is a third-year student at Ohio State ATI, studying animal sciences with a focus in beef. She is from Delaware, Ohio and is spending her summer with Paint Valley Farms, who breed and raise shorthorn cattle in Millersburg, Ohio. This internship opportunity was an easy “yes” for Skyelar, she says, “because of the opportunity to work with an established and successful beef breeding company.”

During her internship with Paint Valley Farms, Skyelar is learning from their current herd manager and assisting with ongoing farm projects. She was able to help with the in vitro fertilization (IVF) of two breeding heifers, about which she shared, “This was a first for myself and a relatively new practice for the farm.” IVF allows producers to utilize their operation’s top females throughout their reproductive life.

While completing her internship, she shares, “I hope to gain the general knowledge needed to work independently on a beef operation, including breeding practices, handling, and the logistics that go into running a herd. In addition, I hope to leave with a better understanding of the role that improved genetics plays in the industry.” Her advice to those starting college at Ohio State ATI is to use all your resources and not be afraid to ask about internship opportunities.

In The Field Friday: Olivia Looker

Olivia Looker, Showpig.com

As  a second-year agricultural communication student at Ohio State ATI, Olivia Looker is interning with Showpig.com. Olivia is from Mt. Gilead, Ohio and chose to spend her summer with one of the largest known online agricultural auction sites.

Olivia chose this internship for many reasons. She knew she would have opportunities to travel and to make connections, all while growing as a professional with Showpig.com. Her experiences have allowed her to manage social media accounts, to assist with event planning, and to travel around the United States to industry-leading shows and events.

Jumping right in and becoming part of a team with individuals she has never met before has been one of Olivia’s favorite memories. She also enjoys “seeing all the little kids at shows look up to me.” Olivia was hesitant to jump into an internship the summer after her first year of college, but she said “but I am so glad I did.”

In The Field Friday: Nick Colombo

Nick Colombo, Old Elm Club

Ohio State ATI second-year student, Nick Colombo, is enjoying his summer. Nick is from Columbus, Ohio and is majoring in turfgrass management. He is spending his summer interning with Old Elm Club in Highland Park, Illinois.

Nick chose Old Elm Club for his internship because of the positive things said by his former boss and colleagues. During his summer, he has been busy with multiple chemical applications, capillary concrete installation in bunkers, and nursery renovations.

Nick has gained many great skills through his internship that will be beneficial in his future. Old Elm Club has allowed him to grow, he says, all while “being part of a team and gaining new knowledge.” Nick enjoys that in his role he is treated like a manager, which allows him to take on many responsibilities. Nick states, “I feel this internship is shaping me to be successful in my career.”

In The Field Friday: Kylie Ramirez

Kylie Ramirez, Ohio Pork Council

Kylie Ramirez graduated from Ohio State ATI with an Associate of Science in Agricultural Communication. Ramirez will be starting at the Columbus campus in the fall where she will continue her agricultural communication major and minor in agricultural business.  She is from Holmes County, Ohio and is enjoying her summer with the Ohio Pork Council, which strives to serve and benefit Ohio pork producers.

Kylie chose to intern with OPC because of the wide range of opportunities it offers. As the Ohio Pork Council summer communications intern, she will assist with developing content across the organization’s digital and print platforms, highlighting producer and consumer-facing projects. She will also play an essential role in managing volunteers at the OPC state fair food stands and help with coordination of special events this summer.

During her time with OPC, Kylie has enjoyed helping with the golf outing and planning for the Ohio State Fair, all while learning more about Ohio’s pork industry. She would advise those younger to take advantage of opportunities to grow and connect with industry leaders.

In The Field Friday: Dan Haller

Dan Haller, Harbour Town Golf Links

From Chillicothe, Ohio, Dan Haller is completing an internship with Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Dan is a third-year student majoring in turfgrass management and also pursuing a turfgrass equipment manager certificate at Ohio State ATI in Wooster.

 

Dan wanted to take advantage of this opportunity because he gets to experience living on his own for the first time. He thought this would help him become independent. On the job he gets to do many different things, including mowing and rolling greens, assisting in course set up, and maintaining the fleet of equipment for the course. Dan’s favorite memory during his time with Harbour Town Golf Links has been working with RBC Heritage, a PGA Tour event.

 

From his internship Dan hopes he can gain the important skills to manage 20+ people. If he could give advice to someone starting an internship, it would be to ask as many questions as possible. If there is something specific you are wanting to learn, ask, Dan said. “The worst they can do is say no.”

In the Field Friday: Alexis Montgomery

Alexis Montgomery, Sullivan Supply

Alexis Montgomery is a third-year student at Ohio State ATI in Wooster majoring in livestock production and management. She is from Weston, West Virginia, and is making connections with people from all over the country as an intern with Sullivan Supply, a leading company in livestock show supplies.

Alexis chose Sullivan Supply because of the opportunities to network with people and to promote agriculture and the livestock show industry. As a sales intern at Sullivan Supply, she gets to work in their traveling trailer, where she hopes to learn more about sales communication. This internship opportunity was a reminder to Alexis to “reach for the stars and dream the biggest dreams, work hard and never give up.”

During her time, she has most enjoyed meeting new people all while learning new things about livestock. She said, “I have enjoyed learning about livestock, their nutrition, and their upkeep.” She would advise those who are younger than she is to never give up and to have patience: the right opportunity will come.

In The Field Friday: Vince Jacovetty

Vince Jacovetty, Laurel Valley Golf Club

For our first “In the Field Friday” of 2022, we are highlighting Vince Jacovetty from Canton, Ohio. Vince is a current sophomore at Ohio State ATI in Wooster where he is majoring in turfgrass management. Vince is currently interning at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

While completing his internship with Laurel Valley Golf Club, Vince will be mowing, watering, and spraying. He chose this specific golf club to complete his internship because of the opportunities it provides, its onsite housing, and because there are ATI alumni who currently work there.

 

While on the job, Vince has enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people. Vince says, “I would recommend Laurel Valley as an internship opportunity for future turf students.” If he could give advice to younger students, it would be to get outside of their comfort zone and take every opportunity they can.