2020 MSPB Internship

Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board Internship (Virtual)

 

Job Description:

The Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) is seeking an enthusiastic Mississippi State University student in their junior or senior year for a part-time marketing communications internship. This student will be responsible for assisting with communications programs to capture and share information on behalf of all Mississippi soybean farmers. Applicants should be majoring in an agriculture-related field and should have completed or be currently enrolled in two or more journalism or communications courses. Duties vary and may include news writing, proofreading, web content development, assistance with advertising and social media campaigns, event attendance and other duties as requested. Applicants should be proficient in social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Hootsuite and others). As an intern, students will collaborate with MSPB, but also with the board’s marketing communications agency, Osborn Barr Paramore (O+B|P), and will correspond with staff in St. Louis, Kansas City and Nashville. Insight from the intern will help O+B|P develop communications around different audiences and programs. Ability to communicate openly and in a timely manner with remote supervisors will be critical to the success of the program. This internship will provide students insight into working for a checkoff-funded association, but also in working for a marketing communications agency and career opportunities that may be available in both fields. This internship will help students gain communications and marketing skills, as well as provide access to events, networking and building professional relationships with companies and soybean farmers in Mississippi and beyond. This internship will be paid and will include travel and meal reimbursements for any required travel.

 

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Supporting O+B|P communications team on daily activities such as social media, newsletter content writing and in-person meetings
  • Helping develop newsletter and farmer communications
  • Attending events as requested by the board, identify business leads
  • Collecting quantitative and qualitative data from meetings and reporting back to the board and staff
  • Helping to update email lists and collect farmer and farmer advisor data
  • Encouraging partnerships with ag retail and consultant companies in the state of Mississippi
  • Helping distribute marketing materials and sharing research and information from MSPB with interested audiences

 

Overall Program Support Requirements:

  • Current enrollment at Mississippi State University and resides in Mississippi
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Passion for agriculture and row crop farming necessary
  • Proficiency in common social media platforms • Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Ability to work independently to meet established deadlines; Project management skills needed to balance responsibilities.
  • Photography, videography and strong interview skills preferred
  • Ability to travel in own vehicle to meetings around the state as needed
  • Ownership of a cell phone that can be used to discuss MSPB project work; Regular access to a computer with internet access.

 

Additional Details:

  • Anticipated start date: Summer 2020. Anticipated end date: February 2020. Ideally, one student would complete the entire program
  • The student will work between 5-10 hours per week during the program, though certain periods will require additional time while others will require less.
  • Work will mainly be conducted between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, based on the student’s availability and MSPB needs, but some events may occur on evenings or weekends
  • Training will be offered on Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board background, projects, research and other information as needed.
  • Compensation: the student will be compensated at a rate of $14/hour • Desired class level: Entering Junior or Senior year in fall of 2020
  • Desired majors: Business, Ag Business, General Agriculture, Communications, Advertising, Marketing or other relevant degree
  • Potential travel percentage (in-state): 20%

 

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and one writing sample to Michelle Fluty, Michelle.Fluty@obpagency.com. Students should share their availability on when he/she would be available to begin work if selected and why he/she would be a good fit for the organization. 

 

To learn more about the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, please visit MSSOY.org.