More than 650 students interested in a career in the poultry industry were recently in Atlanta as part of USPOULTRY Foundation’s College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2018 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The program attracted students from 41 universities throughout the United States. The students interviewed for jobs and internships with 175 human resources representatives from approximately 30 industry and allied firms. They were also able to visit the exhibit floor to see the latest technology used in today's industry.
“We are pleased the College Student Career Program continues to expand each year. This year’s program connected the brightest students with industry companies that made on-site job offers and internships. This is a terrific avenue for companies to fill their talent pipeline to help safeguard the future of our industry,” remarked Jerry Moye, Hendrix Genetics, and USPOULTRY Foundation chairman.
Keynote speaker, Bob “Pic” Billingsley, director of development and engineering for Sanderson Farms, encouraged and challenged the students to work industriously toward obtaining their career aspirations as they transition from academics to the work environment. “You are in the driver’s seat. We need good people. There are many opportunities, and you just have to go after them,” said Billingsley.
The USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program provides companies with an opportunity to interview top students for industry-related jobs and internships in one location, during a three-day period.
Barbara Jenkins, executive director of the USPOULTRY Foundation, noted that while the program is reaching many colleges and universities around the nation, there is still work to do in reaching more universities and more diverse majors. “The industry has challenged the USPOULTRY Foundation to continue to diversify the program, and we are forging ahead in trying to meet that challenge,” said Jenkins.
The International Student Program brought in 14 students from seven universities in Latin America for a specialized program that enabled the students to discuss job opportunities with companies that have Latin American operations.
