The National Pork Board is seeking candidates to apply for our 2016 internship program. To learn about these exciting opportunities, please see the descriptions below. The Pork Board is funded through a market checkoff collection on sales of market swine in the United States. We are charged with effectively serving U.S. pork producers through the development of educational programs, coordination of research projects, and increasing the demand for pork meat in domestic and international markets.
Criteria for applying:
- Our internships will begin approximately May 16, 2016 and continue through approximately August 12, 2016.
- All internships are paid, and candidates are expected to work full-time for 12 weeks. All positions are based at our office in Clive, IA.
- All interns will be expected to secure their own housing for the summer.
- Interviews will take place in December - January with positions being filled by February.
- Please indicate in the subject line which internship you would like to be considered.
- Interested candidates should forward resume, cover letter, and writing samples if needed, via email to:Intern@pork.org (Microsoft Word or PDF formats only). No phone calls please.
- Deadline to apply is December 15, 2015.
Producer Services/Outreach Intern (2 positions):
The successful candidate will assist with the development and delivery of pork producer education and certification programs offered by the National Pork Board. He or she will complete special projects and will work at various education activities during World Pork Expo. He or she will also work with the Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus), Transport Quality Assurance (TQA), and the Youth PQA Plus programs as assigned. The job(s) involve some travel to events, meetings, state fairs, and/or junior swine shows to represent Pork Checkoff. Some of the projects include development of PowerPoint presentations, brochure development, graphics inventory, exam management for e-learning courses, curriculum development, as well creating marketing/sales pieces for each of our items that we inventory and market to producers and other educational projects as they arise.
A familiarity with the pork industry is recommended; an agriculture education or agricultural communication major is preferred. Candidates should possess strong communication skills including written and telephone skills. Additionally, the successful candidate should be goal oriented and excel in leadership skills. Some overnight travel may be required.
Communications Intern (1 position):
The Communications Department intern will assist with day-to-day activities that include print, audio and visual communications about the pork industry and related news on a national level.
Specific experiences include:
- Working with producers and in media relations at World Pork Expo and at the Ag Media Summit
- Assisting with development of Pork Checkoff news releases, Pork Checkoff's national magazine Pork Checkoff Report, the national newsletter Pork Leader and the October Pork Month media kit
- Assisting with the National Awards Program, including writing and photography
- Assisting with the management of Pork Checkoff websites
- Contributing content to the Pork Checkoff's Internet site and social media tools utilized by the Checkoff
- Assisting with special projects
Applicants must be interested in the pork industry. Applicants will benefit from having an agricultural background and/or an academic emphasis in animal science, agriculture journalism, agricultural communications or journalism. Photography skills, broadcasting skills and familiarity with AP style writing are a plus.
**Applicants interested in the Communications position are required to send two writing samples with their resume.
Science and Technology Intern (1 position):
The Science and Technology department includes eleven staff members that work in the areas of animal science, swine welfare, swine health, pork safety, quality and nutrition, producer and public health, and environmental science. A number of different programs are active within these areas in response to producer needs. Interns in the department will have the opportunity to work with the program areas' Directors to assist with projects specific to program areas. The objective is to come away with a better understanding of the breadth and depth of issues that Science and Technology deal with in service to the industry. Management of unanticipated issues that arise and that have the potential to impact the viability or health of the U.S. swine industry is an important function of the department.
The Candidate selected for this position will be expected to participate in various aspects of departmental activities. These activities may include:
- Working with individual staff members to complete specific new and on-going projects or independent projects within the program areas listed above.
- Participation in the planning and operation of meetings at local, state, and national levels.
- Assistance with NPB activities at World Pork Expo, June 8-10, 2016.
- Attendance and participation in technical working group, producer committee, departmental and organizational staff meetings.
The nature of many of the activities within the Science and Technology department requires the completion of both planned and unplanned tasks. Flexibility and the ability to become rapidly acquainted with new issues are important skills necessary for successful completion of departmental objectives. Candidates for this position are expected to possess the following skills:
- The ability to work on several projects at one time with a high attention to detail and quality of work.
- Have competence in MS Office software programs.
- Be willing to travel two to four days per month, including some overnight travel.
- Be comfortable working in an environment that demands flexible scheduling, independent work, and shifting priorities.
- Have the ability to become rapidly familiar with new topics, issues, or projects.
Interested candidates should be enrolled in, or have recently completed, an animal science-related degree program. This may include, but is not limited to animal science, veterinary medicine and environmental sciences. An interest and commitment to the U.S. swine industry is required. Some travel will be required.
Domestic Marketing Intern (1 position):
The candidate selected for this internship will assist in the various activities and programs implemented within the Domestic Marketing Department. Outreach efforts are executed within the specific areas of consumer advertising, public relations, social media, retail, foodservice, and market research. Different components of this internship include assisting in the development and coordination of specific programs, project coordination with agency partners, contributing ideas and feedback regarding different program initiatives, and participating in various departmental activities.
Ideal candidates will have an academic emphasis on marketing, public relations or advertising. Agriculture background is not required. Strong communication skills are a must. Some travel may be required
