Did you know that Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast have educational and comprehensive intern programs for current college students? We have both internal interns that work in our Philadelphia and Chicago offices as well as a variety of state interns that work with our State Members in the various State Departments of Agriculture that make up our memberships.
The Food Export internship offers a unique experience for college students to get their foot in the door of the food and agriculture industries while learning a variety of skills necessary to pursue professional careers after graduation. But what happens after graduation?
Let’s find out! Below you’ll learn more about some of our past Food Export interns, see where they ended up, and hear first-hand from them how valuable the internship program was.
Erin Crowley
– Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and Economics from DePaul University
– International Marketing Program Intern with Food Export – Midwest
– Current Role: International Marketing & Branded Program Associate at Food Export – Midwest
Erin was an internal intern for the International Marketing Program at Food Export – Midwest in Chicago from November 2015 to June 2016. After completing her internship and graduating from DePaul University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and Economics she spent 2 years teaching English in Costa Rica before returning to the states and joining Food Export – Midwest in a full-time role as an International Marketing & Branded Program Associate. One of Erin’s current responsibilities is managing the Food Export intern program that she used to be a part of!
Hear what Erin has to say about her time as an intern below.
I was an intern when I was studying economics and international studies at DePaul University here in Chicago. I had some classes such as Economics of the European Union, and Geographies of Rural & Urban Economies that went hand in hand with what I learned and saw at Food Export. As an intern I loved reading trade servicing reports from our IMRs (In Market Representatives), because I learned about updates in all kinds of international policies and the markets there, even random facts like the number of hotel rooms in Dubai. The internship was eye opening as well because before interning at Food Export, I really had no idea that these kind of trade promotion programs existed in any form, food & ag or otherwise. It was interesting to see this whole subset of programs, services, and professionals who work to help small businesses and forge connections.
Apryl King
– Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine
– Food Export State Intern with the Maine International Trade Center
– Current Role: Liaison at Food Export – Northeast
Apryl was a Food Export State Intern at the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) from January 2018 to October 2018 before being hired for a full-time role as a Liaison at Food Export – Northeast. Hear what Apryl has to say about her time as an intern in the video below.
Mike Hamrock
– Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Information Systems from Loyola University Chicago
– International Marketing Program Intern with Food Export – Midwest
– Current Role: International Marketing & Branded Program Associate at Food Export – Midwest
Mike was an internal intern for the International Marketing Program at Food Export – Midwest in Chicago from January 2018 to December 2018 before being hired for a full-time role as an International Marketing & Branded Program Associate in January 2019. Hear what Mike has to say about his time as an intern below.
I applied for my Food Export internship while studying abroad in Beijing and remember being interviewed over the phone by Brendan and Femke in the wee hours of the morning. I learned a lot about Food Export and the industry in general just from that interview alone, and I knew when I got my offer letter from Teresa that accepting it would be one of the best decisions I made in college. From gaining valuable office experience in a diverse industry to walking trade show floors and assisting at buyers missions, my time as an intern truly helped me build a great foundation to lead a prosperous career in the agricultural export industry and beyond. In the late summer of 2018, nearing the end of my internship, I knew that I would like to continue working for a great organization amongst great people and luckily I am still here today as a full-time employee!
Britt Aasmundstad
– Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Concordia University
Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University
Master’s of Business Administration from Indiana University
– Food Export State Intern with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture
– Current Role: Associate Director of Public Policy at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
Britt was a Food Export State Intern with the the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in 2011 while attending Concordia University. She is now the Associate Director, Public Policy at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).
Hear what Britt has to say about her time as a Food Export intern in the video below.
Mariel Migliaccio
– Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Food Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University
– International Marketing Program Intern with Food Export – Northeast
– Current Role: Assistant Brand Manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA
Mariel was an internal intern for the International Marketing Program at Food Export – Northeast. After her time with us she stared an internship at Bimbo Bakeries USA which progressed into a full-time role after her graduation from Saint Joseph’s University.
Hear what Mariel has to say about her time as a Food Export intern in the video below.
Elizabeth Frey
– Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences from Michigan State University
Master’s Degree in Animal Sciences from Michigan State University
– Food Export State Intern with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
– Current Role: Agriculture Policy Fellow at Western Skies Strategies
Elizabeth was a Food Export State Intern with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development from March 2015 to May 2016 before leaving to study abroad in New Zealand and begin pursuing her Master’s Degree.
Hear what Elizabeth has to say about her time as a Food Export intern below.
I had the pleasure to work as International Marketing Program as a Food Export – Midwest Intern from March 2015 – May 2016. Those 15 months were a pivotal stage of my undergraduate experience and helped set the stage for a diverse array of experiences in the 3 years since. During that time I worked on a day to day basis with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) International Marketing team to address the needs of local small to medium sized food producers from across the state of Michigan. In that capacity I assisted in the coordination of webinars, food show booths, trade missions, and local seminars. I also handled external communications efforts including social media outreach, press releases, and Success Stories about local business that utilized Food Export – Midwest’s programs.
My last day with Food Export – Midwest was bittersweet. I was sad to leave the team, but I was also excited to embark on a 6 month study abroad experience in New Zealand. During my time abroad I found that the experience I had gained through the internship enabled me to dig deeper with farmers and trade experts in conversations about their unique perspective on international trade.
Upon returning to Michigan, I was offered a Graduate Research position with Michigan State University and have spent the last two years earning an MS in Animal Science while researching issues related to animal health on US beef feedlots. That research led me to pursue a fellowship in Washington DC over the summer of 2018 and again this summer. As an Agriculture Policy Fellow for Western Skies Strategies I have coordinated numerous Congressional fly-ins, assisted in external communications for clients across the country, and contributed in meetings with top agricultural experts on the Hill and in government agencies. The skills developed as an International Marketing intern have been invaluable in this role.
I can say with absolute certainty that my professional path would have been completely different if it weren’t for my internship with MDARD and Food Export – Midwest. I was exposed to a whole new sector of the food and agriculture industry and it has opened remarkable doors in just 3 years. I am forever grateful for that experience and the confidence it helped me develop as a young professional.
Tim Mehegan
– Bachelor’s Degree in AgriBusiness Management from the University of Missouri-Colombia
– Food Export State Intern with the Missouri Department of Agriculture
– Current Role: Inside Sales Representative at Corbion
Tim was a Food Export State Intern with the Missouri Department of Agriculture from May 2017 to May 2018 before graduating from the University of Missouri-Colombia and accepting a full-time role as an Inside Sales Representative at Corbion.
Hear what Tim has to say about his time as a Food Export intern in the video below.
Ina Tegko
– Master’s Degree in Business Intelligence & Analytics from Saint Joseph’s University
Master’s Degree in International Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University
– International Marketing Program Intern with Food Export – Northeast
– Current Role: Market Research at Optimal Strategix Group Inc.
Ina was an internal intern for the International Marketing Program at Food Export – Northeast from June 2018 to December 2018. After completing her internship Ina graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with two Master’s Degrees and was awarded the “Best Graduate Student of the Year” for the International Marketing Program.
Hear what Ina has to say about her time as a Food Export intern in the video below.
Lauren Egan
– Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Brand and Product Management from DePaul University
– International Marketing Program Intern with Food Export
– Current Role: Product Launch Specialist at Appleton Group
Lauren was an internal intern for the International Marketing Program at Food Export – Midwest in Chicago from September 2016 to April 2017 before being hired for a full-time role as an International Marketing Program Associate. Now Lauren works as a Product Launch Specialist at the Appleton Group Business Unit with Emerson.
Hear what Lauren has to say about her time as a Food Export intern in the video below.
The Food Export intern program is a great opportunity for college students to get their foot in the door in a variety of industries and teach them real world skills that will be beneficial in future career opportunities.
Keep an eye out for upcoming internal intern postings for our Philadelphia and Chicago offices on the Careers Page of our website!