College students get real world experience at Farm Credit offices

Eighteen interns work at ag lending cooperative this summer

2008Intern.jpgLouisville, KY  – July 18, 2008 - Eighteen interns working for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America this summer are taking advantage of the opportunity to work and learn in a real work environment during their summer internship. The opportunity is a major step in preparing college students to enter the world of life after college.

According to Ashley Gaslin, recruitment specialist for Farm Credit in Tennessee and Kentucky, the internship allows college students to practically apply the skills they are learning in college. “They are getting first hand look at what a lending officer does for Farm Credit and can apply what they’ve learned in a real-life situation,” she said.

As interns, the eighteen students are working with mentors who are guiding them through the components of the lending business and helping them with their career objectives, participating in many aspects of the lending business, attending sales meetings, and completing specialized projects. Interns also got a day away from the office by attending an annual Intern Retreat, where this year they visited Sweetwater Valley Farms and Mayfield Dairy, two prominent dairies in Tennessee.   They also visited a switch grass farm.

“Certainly job experience is one benefit of Farm Credit’s college intern program,” said Stacy Mullins, recruitment specialist for Ohio and Indiana. “But the interns also get the added benefit of interesting research projects, cross-training, and many networking opportunities with other interns throughout Farm Credit’s four state area.”

The opportunity to network and have a better understanding of what people do in the field of finance were motivating factors for this set of interns.  And like many Farm Credit interns before, the experience may help them decide to enter the world of agricultural finance after they complete college.

Tennessee

  • Bonnie Fakes - Tennessee Tech
  • Ryan Angel - University of Tennessee – Martin
  • Rachel Burnett - University of Tennessee – Knoxville
  • Jessica Blair - University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Kentucky

  • Heather DeVries - Western Kentucky University
  • Caroline Peterson - University of Kentucky
  • Tyler Williams - University of Kentucky
  • Sara Evans - University of Kentucky

Ohio

  • John Schaeffer - Wilmington College
  • Matt Stoud - Wilmington College
  • Justin Deininger - Bowling Green
  • Mary Estock - The Ohio State University
  • Craig von Stein - The Ohio State University
  • Jess Smith - The Ohio State University

Indiana

  • Gina Rayburn - Purdue University
  • Chris Allen - Purdue University
  • Craig Meyer - Purdue University
  • Randi Potts - Purdue University

Photo Caption

Intern Coordinator Stacy Mullins with Ohio intern Jess Smith during a visit to Mayfield Dairy in Tennessee.

About Farm Credit Services

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $13 billion financial services cooperative serving over 82,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating, equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM (3276).