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Internship Clarifies Career Goals for Agribusiness Major

When Melissa Braun interned at Farm Credit Services of America, she determined the type of work she wants to find after graduation. A senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration, Braun graduates in May 2016 with an agribusiness major and minors in management and agricultural economics.

“I primarily worked as a financial officer intern where I spent most of my time shadowing financial officers. During my internship, I had the opportunity to meet with customers to write and service loans, and build relationships. I enjoyed working with different farmers and ranchers, and meeting their financial needs,” Braun said.

Farm Credit Services of America serves the agricultural credit, risk management and financial needs of farmers and ranchers in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. In addition to working with financial officers in Kearney, Nebraska, she also shadowed people from various job divisions including customer service specialists, insurance, account and closing specialists, appraisal and country home loan officers.

“My favorite part of the internship was the field work experience. I learned about western Nebraska crops such as potatoes, peas and sugar beets. I also had the opportunity to move cattle on horseback at a ranch. It was great to get out of the office and have hands-on experience,” she said.

Melissa Braun at CBA
Melissa Braun at CBA
Braun has been a member of the UNL Equestrian Team since 2012. She has served as a team captain in the 2013-2014 academic year and president in 2014-2015 academic year.

“Being a part of the team helped with my success at UNL by giving me a community to be a part of, motivation to keep a high GPA and networking opportunities. It also taught me leadership skills and how to be part of a team which has helped me with my internship where a teamwork culture is emphasized,” Braun said. 

The agribusiness major within CBA is a flexible program that allows students to choose business and agriculture classes that best fit their interests. UNL was the first to combine the fields of agriculture and business into this unique program.

“Many of the classes I have taken for my major and agricultural economics minor have given me a good foundation for my internship. I have used information that I learned in farm and ranch management, accounting and commodity marketing classes throughout my entire internship,” she said.

“Interning at Farm Credit Services of America was a great experience, and it helped me apply my interests and skills in many different ways. I learned the importance of making specific career goals and finding a company and position you enjoy working in. I look forward to graduating and starting my career in agribusiness,” Braun said.
Published: October 29, 2015