August 22, 2024
For agriculture and environmental sciences major Jessie Lamp, an internship was the ideal opportunity to learn, grow personally and professionally and step outside of Nebraska. As a marketing intern with Helena Agri-Enterprises, Jessie gained hands-on experience working with executives, creating impactful content and performing under pressure.
You are a marketing intern with Helena, a leading agronomic solutions provider. Talk a bit about what this role entails and some of the projects you have worked on over the summer.
This summer, I had the privilege of being the marketing intern for the Helena Products Group — a department under Helena Agri-Enterprises — based out of Memphis, Tennessee. Being an intern with Helena was truly an amazing experience and I am beyond grateful for the past few months. I was looking for an out-of-the-box experience, somewhere out of state where I could grow and gain a new perspective.
How did you come across this internship opportunity, and what intrigued you about a marketing internship with Helena?
When I moved to Nebraska at the age of 12, I became involved in 4-H and FFA. This is where my passion for agriculture started, and what led me to pursue an internship in the industry this summer. During the internship search process, I compiled a long list of internships that sparked my interest. I looked out of state — anywhere from Montana to Texas — and sought opportunities to work with companies that I truly admired.
At the beginning, Helena wasn’t on the list, but I kept hearing Helena’s name pop up in conversations and in the classroom. I took it as a sign and researched the company and found a marketing internship. A little while later, at the AFA conference career fair, I came across the Helena booth. I stopped by, introduced myself and left them with my resume. I then got a call from Helena’s Director of Marketing, and we hit it off. I landed the internship and set my eyes toward moving to Tennessee!
Is there a specific memory, project or task you have worked on that sticks out as being impactful?
This internship submerged me in the real corporate world and fast-paced business environment. I was treated like a full-time employee and a member of the Helena family. As such, I was given many responsibilities. One of the most impactful experiences was working with top-level executives such as Eric Cowling, the chief executive officer, Executive Vice President Ward Bloodworth and the Chief Financial Officer Byron Phillips. Together, we coordinated and created an internal video message that would be delivered on a global scale across Helena Agri-Enterprises. Coming into the role, I had experience in videography, editing and an understanding of camera equipment. The marketing team passed the baton to me on this project. From meetings, to filming and editing, I’m not going to lie — I was under pressure, but it taught me how to work effectively and efficiently under these conditions. Ultimately, I really felt like a made a difference company-wide with this project.
What are you hoping to gain from this internship experience?
First and foremost, moving away from Nebraska, I was looking to learn and experience a new culture. Memphis and Lincoln are different in many ways culturally, so I was challenged to broaden my interpersonal skills and network with new individuals. My goal for the summer was to build relationships that I could take back home to Lincoln.
How will this marketing internship experience apply to your studies and propel your future career endeavors?
While the classroom gives you the knowledge needed to enter into an internship, this role allowed me to get hands-on experience and really dive into the working world. As a marketing intern, I was able to explore an industry I am interested in, and experiment with what things I liked and maybe didn’t like as much to help me evaluate my future career goals.
What piece of advice would you give to students aspiring to find an internship?
Be open! Be open to conversations, opportunities and experiences that you may not have seen for yourself. Be eager to learn and be teachable. Also, take the opportunity to go out of state! I took a risk and moved all the way to Memphis, Tennessee, something I was nervous to do. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nebraska and will always bleed scarlet and cream, but it was beneficial to open my eyes to a new side of agriculture. I have seen new places, made new friends and have changed for the better because of the risks I took.
What is something you’ve learned during your time at Nebraska that will stick with you after you graduate?
I learned so much in my first two years at Nebraska! Right away, I jumped into involvements like the Nebraska Agriculture Youth Council, Sigma Alpha sorority, the Engler Entrepreneurship Program and so much more. These involvements have shaped my college career and allowed me to narrow my focus and invest in organizations that are going to invest back into me.
Overall, I have learned to not be afraid of change and the power of networking and meeting new people. Because of the relationships I have made, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — specifically East Campus — has become my home.
Is there anyone who has impacted your time at Nebraska?
Tom Field, the director of the Engler Entrepreneurship Program, has been a mentor to me since freshman year. In taking his Engler 101 class, I was able to learn so much from him. The program as a whole is inspiring. The people in the program really broadened my perspectives, which is why I decided to attend a university. I chose a university for the people and for the opportunities — I was after more than just a degree. I love the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and what they have to offer, especially College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, because it’s truly unlike anything else.
The Nebraska Agriculture Youth Council has also impacted my time in Lincoln. These people have become some of the best friends in college and I’m thankful to walk alongside them throughout college.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
My main goal is to work within agriculture communications, but I also want to explore my entrepreneurial minor as well. Just as I experienced this summer, I am ready to take on a challenge I may not expect in this moment. I am open to adventurous opportunities and willing to walk through doors that God is going to open and trusting in His plan for my life. Ultimately, I know I love agriculture and communications, specifically sharing and creating stories that will leave a legacy. Wherever the Lord leads me, I hope I can use my talents to make an impact in the lives around me and in agriculture.