United Farmers Cooperative’s internship is designed to give students an opportunity to compliment their formal education with career-related experiences.  Gaining real work experiences also helps the participants to make more informed career choices which will result in higher job satisfaction and higher productivity.

Our internship program will be paid, part-time as it works with the students schooling.  Prospective interns will meet with general manager/team manager to discuss their interests, necessary licensing, and/or academic preparation.  Interns will be assigned a mentor to guide and assist in answering questions.  The criteria for hiring interns must be clear and well understood.

Time should be allowed for intern to be orientated by mentor.  A suitable plan of “real work” projects, not only to produce tangible beneficial result for the company, but also to take advantage of interns’ productivity and enhance their sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Supervision and direction need to be provided throughout the internship, along with a regular progress report.  Interns will be required to experience several different aspects of the cooperative setting. We would like the intern to experience and understand the many unique areas the coop offers such as business, sales and customer service.  When interns are assigned to more than one area, the mentor will work with the supervisors to communicate with the intern on what is expected.

Interns will need to be trained in the same capacity of employees in the use of hazardous equipment/materials and safety procedures for all operations that they are involved with. 

Before completion of internship, the mentor and intern will meet to complete a performance evaluation.  Supplemental reviews may need to be received from other supervisors working with intern.  The results of the performance review will determine whether the intern will receive a scholarship and the amount of scholarship, to be used for their continued schooling.

Upon graduation of intern, United Farmers Cooperative must be honest about the interns’ future employment prospects with the former intern. 

Intern eligibility:  Intern must be at least 18 years of age.  Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident alien or a non citizen with proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.  Be enrolled in an eligible institution’s cooperative education program (not an online program).  Current enrollment or participation in a field of study related to the requested work.  Should have some skill, knowledge and ability to perform in field of study.  Valid driver’s license with appropriate endorsements if required for area of interest. 

Upon agreement of correct fit, an internship compensation proposal will be agreed upon and completed.  Before intern returns for training, the mentor and department managers need to complete a calendar in which a training schedule is completed for reference.  Special events/projects should be included on this.