We invited CAFNR students to submit their 2022 internship experiences to our social media. In their own words, learn how some CAFNR students spent their summer!
(CAFNR students, find your internship for next summer at the Fall Career and Internship Fair Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, 12-4 p.m., in the MU Rec Center. Even freshmen are encouraged to attend!)
Alyssa Fritz, natural resource science & management major with an emphasis in fisheries & wildlife sciences
“I’m participating in a marine biology internship this summer at UCLA that allows me to work in Mo’orea, French Polynesia,” said Alyssa. “I work with a group to develop, execute and present a research project. My team’s project is looking at how traits of macroalgae change with increasing levels of human impacts. After graduating I’m planning on attending graduate school to get a PhD in marine biology.”
Anna Brezinski, parks, recreation & sport major
CAFNR senior Anna Brezinski has a beverage internship where she is gaining experience in event planning and running banquets with Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks.
“My favorite part about this internship is that I’m taking on different positions almost every day so it’s always something new!” said Anna. “My future career plans after my internship are to keep my options open with different opportunities. I’d like to go into sales; anything that involves social interaction, meeting people and traveling.”
Autumn Fuemmeler, parks, recreation & sport major
Autumn Fuemmeler chose to complete her capstone internship with Show-Me State Games. As the project/program and operations intern she expanded her experience in event management by assisting in the execution of more than 40 sporting events.
“One of my favorite things about Show-Me State Games is knowing that what I am organizing helps me to interact with various participants and the enjoyment I see on their faces while competing,” said Autumn. “This lets me know what I’m doing is giving enjoyment to people of all ages.”
After officially graduating in August, she hopes to find employment in her field of study or something close to it where she can interact with the public.
Blake Boyer, agriculture major
Agriculture senior Blake Boyer is interning as a loan officer/processor at Belgrade State Bank in Farmington, Mo.
“I have spent the last couple weeks shadowing in the loan department,” said Blake. “I plan on using my time at the bank to further advance my skill set in a professional business setting as I look for further careers after I graduate this December.”
Blake plans to start a career in either ag sales or ag lending after graduation.
Breanne Dodge, parks, recreation & sport major
Breanne is completing her capstone internship at Onondaga Cave Missouri State Parks, a National Natural Landmark that illustrates why Missouri is often called “The Cave State.”
“I am a naturalist at this state park,” said Breanne. “My duties include giving cave tours, guiding hikes, putting on nature programs, invasive species management and many other tasks around the park. This internship provides me with the opportunity to help connect the public to the natural resources.”
Breanne will graduate this summer with a degree in parks, recreation & sport. Her career aspirations are to work for the National Park Service.
Isaiah Massey, agriculture major with a focus on education, ag business & sustainability
“This summer I am interning with Syngenta as a crop protection sales agent where I am learning the Syngenta experience and working on a marketing project to present to the Syngenta leadership team,” said Isaiah.
After graduation, he plans to work for an agricultural business or go to graduate school at the University of Kentucky studying community development in agriculture education.
Jalani Williams, parks, recreation & sport major and a defensive back with the Mizzou Football team
“My favorite thing about Special Olympics Missouri is working with the athletes and putting a smile on their faces,” Jalani said. “I think people sometimes doubt what these athletes are capable of. They work really hard and are really inspiring. They’re as much of an athlete as I am, and they want to show the world what they can do.”
Read more in the feature story, An Athletic Connection
Karson Miller, environmental sciences major with an emphasis in water
Karson Miller is a seasonal naturalist at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
“At Babler and all state parks, Naturalists serve as a link between nature and the public, meaning we get to teach visitors about the amazing natural features and phenomenon we have here in Missouri,” said Karson. “This includes guided hikes, outreach programs, invasive species management and much more. My favorite part of the job is seeing the spark in visitors when they’re truly captivated by what we’re showing them and their passion to know more. As someone who loves the outdoors, it’s so fulfilling to pass on that love to others. I am a junior studying environmental sciences with an emphasis in water.”
After graduation, she plans to work at an environmental consulting agency.
Katherine Larson, environmental sciences major with an emphasis in outreach & education
“This summer I’m interning with the Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake with the Environmental Stewardship program,” said Katherine. “I’ll be spending the summer working under foresters and wildlife biologists, helping to maintain the grounds. One of our biggest projects is building a bike trail at Frank Russell Recreation Area. I love that every day is a new adventure and that I get to spend it outside.”
After graduation, she would like to go to law school and work in natural resource law, with hopes to become a part of policy decisions.
Kaylee Lower, agricultural education major with a minor in science and agricultural communications
Kaylee is originally from Collins, Missouri, where she grew up on her family’s farm and expanded her love for agricultural education and communications. Kaylee is a senior in agricultural education with a minor in science and agricultural communications. She works for CAFNR Career Services and CAFNR Marketing and Communications. She is also involved with CAFNR Ambassadors.
“I am fortunate enough to return to the Missouri State Fair as a marketing intern after spending last summer in this position,” said Kaylee. “This summer, I look forward to expanding my horizons and working on numerous projects in preparation of the 2022 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. I enjoy the diversity from project to project and have the ability to use my skills in a multitude of ways.”
After graduation, Kaylee plans to work as a high school agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor.
Lisette Perez, recent graduate in natural resource science & management
“I’m doing an internship at the Mendenhall Glacier – it’s a part of the Tongass National Forest,” said Lisette. “I am an interpretative ranger this summer and it’s been a blast in Alaska. My amazing teachers, Professors Halsey, Nilon, Morgan, and many others were essential in putting me on this path and doing this work.”
After she completes her internship, her career aspirations are to continue to do environmental education work, specifically in cities. She wants to bring nature to those with little access.
Maddie Carter, parks, recreation & sport major
Maddie Carter, senior in parks, recreation and sport, is interning with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City as an event coordinator.
“In this position I had the opportunity to plan small-scale events for nonprofits in Kansas City,” said Maddie. “I also had the chance to assist with coordinating ‘Amplify’, an annual conference put on by the foundation to celebrate teachers of color, which I have been asked to return to assist with in November.”
“Outside of event planning I had the chance to network, shadow other departments’ meetings and work on professional development,” she said. “Here are some photos of my summer all taken at the foundation!”
After graduation, she is now considering law school, due to her networking and shadowing this summer.
Madi Schott, double major in animal sciences and journalism
Madi Schott is an intern at the Saint Louis Zoo this summer. She is working in the antelope department helping to care for giraffes, gazelles and various other species.
“I love being able to see how hard these zookeepers are working to give these animals the best care possible,” Madi said. “This internship has given me such a fantastic opportunity to understand the daily operations of a zoo.”
Madi is receiving college credit with this internship for her captive wild animal management minor. She is a senior at Mizzou with a double major in animal sciences and journalism. She hopes to write about conservation in the future. She said she’s very grateful for her experience with the Saint Louis Zoo.
Mason Locke, agribusiness management major and precision agriculture technology certificate program
Mason Locke, agribusiness management major as well as in the precision agriculture technology certificate program, is interning with John Deere in Moline, Illinois, for the summer.
“I’m currently on the aftermarket and customer support team,” Mason said. “My project for the summer is to travel across the Midwest and conduct interviews revolving around how dealerships go about troubleshooting diagnostics on equipment at their shop and out in the field. This is my first internship with Deere and I’ll be a sophomore this fall. I am very honored and encourage all new incoming freshman to step out of their comfort zone and go for what you want. That’s what makes good leaders great!”
Sloane Snyder, parks, recreation & sport major with an emphasis in sport management
“I spent the summer interning for the Dallas Mavericks G-League team, the Texas Legends, back in my hometown of Frisco, Texas!” said Sloane. “Each week I coached summer camp and got to teach kids the game of basketball and how to improve their skills! In addition, I worked day camps across North Texas. I got to meet and create relationships with basketball legends Shawn Bradley, Dell Harris and Spud Webb!”
For her future plans, Sloane wants to continue learning and growing in different aspects of the industry.