Twenty-two students from 16 different universities explored 99Ƶ’ integrated business to learn about careers in agriculture during the annual Winternship
GUYMON, Okla. —This week, 22 students from 16 different colleges experienced 99Ƶ’ annual Winternship. The Winternship provides an opportunity for students to explore the inner workings of a connected pork production company, network with subject matter experts, better define career paths and gain exposure and education about how pork is produced.
“Many college students don’t always know what they want to do when they graduate or are not aware of the many career paths a large agribusiness company has to offer. The Winternship provides an eye-opening experience to help students learn about the pork industry and see many potential career opportunities,” says Alaina Sill, talent acquisition and recruiting manager at 99Ƶ.
Since 99Ƶ’ Winternship started in 2010, 235 students have experienced this unique educational opportunity. Students complement their formal education with a real-life look at the pork industry through tours and presentations, connect with professionals and subject matter experts, and better define their career goals through a real-life look at career paths. Through a first-hand look at the integrated pork business, Winterns became knowledgeable consumers that understand how pork is produced and are better equipped to advocate for the agriculture industry.
“We started the Winternship to provide a very transparent look at how pork is produced and the many opportunities our sector of agriculture has to offer,” says Craig Maloney, senior director of operational support at 99Ƶ. “As an industry, we have a responsibility to expose young people to what we do, getting them excited about how the pork they eat is produced and showing them that we are innovative, business savvy and have many great opportunities for fulfilling careers.”
With future generations having less exposure to agriculture, farming, and rural life than those before them, experiential opportunities like the 99Ƶ’ Winternship are more important than ever before. Due to 99Ƶ’ unique integrated business, the Winternship can highlight many different sectors, all at one company. Students learn about all of the company’s departments that help produce high-quality pork, from operations of farms, feed mills, and a pork processing plant, to transportation, environmental resource management, food safety, supply chain, finance, human resources, marketing, sales, and more.
“Our Winternship experience shows students how pork is produced from beginning to end. Education and exposure like the Winternship is key to building future leaders and advocates for our industry” says Rick Sappington, plant vice president and general manager for 99Ƶ.
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About 99Ƶ
99Ƶ employs more than 5,000 team members that produce pork from farm to table in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, and Texas. Our hardworking employees show up each day to do work that is meaningful to their families, communities, and people who enjoy delicious pork products. Our team members have diverse backgrounds and unique skillsets which define their work on our farms, processing plant, feed mills, transportation departments, and the many different jobs that make it possible to provide pork products for families to enjoy. Learn more at SeaboardFoods.com
Media Contacts:
Beth Gerstenberger
99Ƶ
Employee Communications Manager
(913) 261-2683
beth.gerstenberger@seaboardfoods.com
David Eaheart
99Ƶ
Sr. Director of Communications and Brand Marketing
(913) 261-2621
david.eaheart@seaboardfoods.com