An internship is a practical learning experience in an agribusiness firm or organization that deals with the type of work you hope to enter upon completion of your academic degree. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between your formal classroom learning and the professional world. In an ideal internship you would be assigned tasks and responsibilities that allow you to observe and participate in the various operations of the business or organization. You would be encouraged to ask questions about the business, and to contribute your ideas and input toward the completion of its goals. In return, you receive valuable work experience and college credit toward your academic degree.

The primary reason to participate in an internship is for you to learn more about the career you wish to pursue. An internship enables you to discover those aspects of a business that best suit you, i.e., purchasing, sales, customer relations, market research, public relations, etc. In addition, learning that you don't like a particular type of work can be a valuable learning experience. An internship also allows you to apply concepts you learned in class to the real world. It may also give you an edge in the job market. Quality work experience looks good on your resume and a good letter of recommendation from your supervisor may open a few doors. In some cases, an internship may also lead to permanent employment with the participating company.

You should be thinking about participating in an internship near the middle to end of your academic curriculum. You need enough formal training and knowledge about your career interests to benefit from an internship experience. You must be willing and able to handle the responsibilities of career-oriented employment. This means you must be able to conduct yourself in a mature, responsible, and professional manner. Remember, during an internship you will be working with professionals in the business community and will be representing Louisiana State University.

You can participate in a internship during the fall or spring semesters, or the summer term. Some internships may require a substantial time commitment, however, so you might want to arrange an internship only for semesters when your course load is light.