Caroline Tart

Kevin Curry

CALS Career Fair

PIC Improvement Company

Representative: Tony Thomas

My Blog:

PIC is the Pigs improvement company that is dedicated to developing and improving superior gilts and boars. The purpose of this company is to get comprehensive data using the most sophisticated technology so that they can provide the customers with the best pigs. The company has been around since 1962 and after 45 years they are still the same principle people than they were then. They have a hard earned understanding of the swine business from the conception to consumption.

            Growing up on a farm I became very interested in the swine industry. This company appealed to me because it was something I was very interested in but could also contribute to my future. When talking to Tony Thomas, the representative present at the Career Fair he described exactly what an internship was like and it sounded like it would be what I would like to do. Tony did say that they did not look at what year you were they looked for good attitude, dedication, and an overall interest in the betterment of the swine industry.

            PIC offers internships in the following areas: sales, genetic services, genetic development, performance validation, technical services, and health assurance. The internship that interests me would be the sales internship. This provides and opportunity for Animal science students to learn more about agri-sales and spend time in the field with some of the industries best. I really liked the idea that with this internship you went to different states and got to see the best of the best swine producers. I enjoy analyzing the physical appearance and strategy of swine so therefore getting to see this would be a great experience.

            In my future I plan to teach Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science. I believe this internship would help me decide that I really do want to teach instead of going into an animal science field, however even if I do teach it would be a great opportunity for me to learn better teaching strategies and be able to encourage students on how to produce good swine. I would also like to have my own swine operation for a small hobby farm and just by helping with this internship I could learn more about the industry and the animal itself so that I can analyze every aspect more.

            When approaching the recruiter at first I was very nervous. However once I began talking with them I realized that this company was different and they did not care to hear what awards I had won or how old I was. They wanted to hear my genuine interest in the swine industry and why I was interested in their company. They told me that I would be a great asset to their program and I just needed to send in a resume and be sure to express my interest for the internship program. They were very nice and I was able to ask my questions without feeling like it was a “dumb” question.

            Overall, the Career Expo was a very good experience. I got to see how many things can be offered to me from every aspect of my major and I realized that you can discover a good internship at any age. I enjoyed getting to meet new companies and also getting to see what all of these companies did. I hope to be able to get an internship from one of these companies in the near future.