Veronica Hilton Imbier-Monson Farm |
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| "Cows are so curious, and they all have different personalities. Sometimes it's a challenge but it's also very rewarding" | ||
| I work at a small (100 head) dairy farm near my home in Western Massachusetts. My main responsibilities are calf care - feeding and cleaning up after newborn calves and older ones. I also help milk the lactating cows. But every day I also have different tasks, everything from fixing fences to helping with dehorning and tattooing young cows. | ||
| My favorite part of the internship is working with the animals. Cows are so curious, and they all have different personalities. Sometimes it's a challenge but it's also very rewarding. | ||
I have learned how all of the stuff I learned in my classes comes together in practice. I feel much more confident in my ability and understanding of management procedures and the whole farm as a system. I have also learned how rewarding hard work can be, even if it seems boring to other people, as long as you love what you are doing. |
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| Because I don't live in Indiana, it was a little difficult to find internships, but I asked my mother if she knew anyone who I could set something up with. Through a friend of hers, she found my current boss's phone number, and I first called him in April to let him know I was interested in setting something up. | ||
| An internship doesn't have to be an official thing - it can be a job you arrange with a smaller company, letting them know that your goal is to learn from them. Just ask around your area and get a list of phone numbers and contact information, and be flexible with your schedule and requirements. | ||