Kansas State University
Agricultural Technology Management
Student Internships
General Information:
Graduates in agricultural technology management(ATM) manage people , money, natural resources, and technology. The opportunities for challenging careers are virtually unlimited in management areas. Positions are available with machinery companies, equipment dealers, agricultural service organizations, government agencies, banks, farms, and companies that produce and sell seed, grain, feed, fertilizer, and chemicals. Internships are used to further the industry based knowledge of the the students while they attend school. These experiences give a "real world" perspective and a wealth of knowledge to students where classrooms fall short.
Internships can happen at any place of business that is agriculturally related. Most of the time situations are limited to businesses that could possibly serve as employment for an ATM graduate. Such businesses include: Territory managers for agricultural machinery companies, Agricultural loan officers, Engineering assistants, Agricultural extension agents, Crop consultants, Agricultural marketing representative, Food processing and plant supervisors, Agricultural machinery dealership managers, Pesticide application specialists, Agricultural business managers, Product managers for manufacturing companies, and Farm managers.
Benefits:
There are benefits realized by the employer and the employee in an internship situation. First, for the employee. Foremost the knowledge and experience are enhanced greatly because of the large amount of exposure to the inner working of a business. Instead buying at the parts department like they may be used to, the student is stocking the shelves and filling part orders. Also, the student may be in need of summer employment making an internship a profitable experience financially and intellectually. The two to three month period of a typical internship also gives the student a chance to try a profession they feel they might enjoy after graduation. Similar to a trial run for choosing a job.
Employers also have benefits from internships. They are able to train a young person fit their needs and have the opportunity evaluate the employee for correct job placement in the company. This allows the company to feel confident that they are using their human resources correctly. Seasonal workers are vital to agricultural industry. Internships provide those companies with timely labor on a short term basis.