College Student Career Program - A Vital Program for Future Industry Leaders

The USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program connects hundreds of talented, bright college students seeking professions in the poultry industry with HR managers and recruiters. It is the most efficient and effective way for the poultry industry to find managers of the future and has been a vital part of many companies' hiring process for nearly 50 years. It is one of the largest career events of its kind for students seeking professions in the industry. Held annually during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), this program allows producer member companies of USPOULTRY and our IPPE partners (NAMI and AFIA) and allied companies to interview top students from many universities at one time, at one location. And such a large number of students offers an extensive variety of majors and qualifications.

The three-day program is 100% funded by the USPOULTRY Foundation. Interview sessions will be held Tuesday afternoon, all day Wednesday, and Thursday until noon. In addition to benefiting the industry, the program is an excellent learning opportunity for the students to see the latest technology and advancements in today's production and processing industry. Students graduating between September 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 will be available to interview. Also, students seeking internships will participate.

Eligible students include current sophomores through graduate students from two and four-year colleges and universities, majoring in:

• Accounting
• Ag Economics
• Business
• Communications
• Engineering
• Food Science
• Human Resources
• Industrial Technology
• Information Technology
• Poultry and Animal Science
• Sales and Marketing
• Veterinary Medicine
• ...other related studies

The program begins in early October with student resume submission (electronically). Companies sign up on line to participate and once the company signs up, they receive the electronic resume database to begin their search for qualified students. Interview sessions are held during the IPPE on Tuesday afternoon, all day Wednesday, and Thursday until noon.

Participating universities include, but are not limited to:

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
• Alcorn State University
• Arkansas State University
• Arkansas Tech University
• Athens Technical College
• Auburn University
• California State University - Fresno
• Clemson University
• Crowder College
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Eastern Oklahoma State College
• Emmanuel College
• Iowa State University
• Kansas State University
• Louisiana State University
• McNeese State University
• Michigan State University
• Mississippi State University
• North Carolina A&T State University
• North Carolina State University
• Ohio State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Stephen F. Austin State University
• Tennessee Technological University
• Texas A&M University
• University of Arkansas
• University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
• University of Connecticut
• University of Delaware
• University of Georgia
• University of Florida
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri, Columbia
• University of North Georgia
• University of Tennessee
• University of Tennessee at Martin
• University of Wisconsin
• Virginia Tech
• West Virginia University
• Wilkes Community College

University students and advisors receive two complimentary hotel nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) at an Atlanta area hotel, Wednesday breakfast and lunch, and Thursday breakfast. Travel is at the university's expense. Students that require a hotel room must be accompanied by a university advisor/representative. Individual student walk-ups are accepted but their hotel room is not covered.

Program Fees:
The fee for USPOULTRY Producer Member Companies and Producer Member Companies of our IPPE Partners (NAMI and AFIA): $100 (USD)
The fee for non-member and allied supplier companies: $500 (USD)

The program is available only to companies in the United States and Canada.

This fee includes:

• Interview booth(s) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the IPPE
• Electronic resume database of students planning to interview.
• A list of the participating universities
• A table in the Student Hospitality area to "showcase" your company to the students. Interviewers are encouraged to bring material describing their company.
• Complimentary registration for interviewers. (If registered through the College Student Career Program.)
• Breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, and coffee and sodas throughout.

Photo: Charles "Ky" Meeks, Jr., University of Georgia - 2019 Student of the year, with Jim Perdue, Chairman Perdue Foods.

For further information or student inquiries, contact Georgia Bell, gbell@uspoultry.org or Barbara Jenkins, bjenkins@uspoultry.org.