Want to build a stronger, more sustainable future and cultivate your career? Join Cargill's global team of 160,000 employees who use new technologies, dynamic insights and over 157 years of experience to connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.
Your Internship:
Gain real experience. Learn from the best. See how your work matters.
Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow's global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships and propel your career.
Protein Food Science Research and Development Internship:
The Protein Research and Development (R/D) function at Cargill will provide students with a career interest and an animal and/or food science related academic background, the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a business environment. The internship program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and work with Cargill business units/functions to provide solutions to customers.
In this position, summer interns will have the opportunity to work with our team of food scientists in our Protein business while learning new product development processes like formulation setup, USDA guidelines, understanding ingredient usages, shelf-life evaluation, experimental design, sensory evaluation and least-cost formulations. Interns will be responsible for leading at least one summer project with the supervision of their summer manager. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to network with cross-functional teams in the Cargill Protein North America group as well as the chance to learn more about customer-focused innovation projects and high-performance innovation projects across our business.
Your Work:
You will be assigned to a project or multiple projects that will be substantive in nature and will create exposure to a variety of work activities. Interns will have the opportunity to:
- Gain immediate hands-on work experience in one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies.
- Participate in orientation, networking, mentoring relationships and other opportunities targeted towards personal and professional development.
- Receive periodic and candid feedback on job performance.
Your internship project(s) will be within one of our customer channels (Retail, Foodservice, or Protein Ingredients and International) or may span across multiple channels.
- One or more projects may be customer driven in nature, allowing you to work across multiple business functions (R/D, pilot plant, marketing, business, supply chain, sensory).
- One or more projects may be supportive/exploratory independent research. This could be gathering information and insights about new technologies that support current projects or business needs.
Our Programming:
- With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction.
- As employees, interns receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities.
- Throughout the internship, interns and co-ops are invited to participate in events that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops across the U.S.
Internship details:
- Internships are typically 12 weeks in duration.
- Interns are paid hourly for time worked.
- Interns are responsible for transportation to and from work.
Our Benefits:
No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As an intern, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you thrive. Eligible programs and incentives include:
- Paid time off
- Mental Health and Wellbeing program
- Digital Learning Library
- Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify
Our Network:
Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the internship, you will also receive consistent support from university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor.
Our Vibrant Community:
At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees.
Our U.S. Business Resource Groups include:
Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Group Responsible for Orienting and Welcoming (GROW), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network.
Job Location:
- Wichita, Kansas | Minneapolis, MN
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree graduating between December 2024 – May 2026, or currently pursuing a Master or Doctorate degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Meat Science, or related technical science degree
- Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer
- Able to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June - August 2024)
- Candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate to one of the locations listed in the job description
- Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures
- Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Overall 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale is preferred
- Ability to prioritize and manage a large workload with multiple priorities
- Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making
- Strong leadership and technical skills
Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet.