With the spring semester completed, the 2015 summer interns began their first week with the National Swine Registry (NSR) and National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) May 18. The NSR and NJSA would like to welcome to the office and in the field – Charlie Huelsenbeck, Jessica Harsh and Matt Romoser. We sat down with them to learn more about their background and what they are looking forward to the most this summer. We hope you enjoy getting to know our interns a little more!
Charlie Hulsenbeck – NJSA
Q: Where are you from?
A: Churubusco, Indiana – a town north of Fort Wayne.
Q: Where do you attend school, and what class are you in?
A: I am currently a senior at Purdue University.
Q: What is your major?
A: My major is agricultural education.
Q: What activities are you involved in at college?
A: I was a member of the 2014 Purdue University livestock judging team, am involved in the Block & Bridle Club as well as being a part of Purdue’s branch of Indiana Association of Agricultural Educators (IAAE).
Q: What are your future plans within the next five years?
A: I plan to graduate with a degree in agricultural education and pursue a career in the agriculture industry. I would preferably like to focus on a career involving youth and livestock.
Q: What are you most excited about for your internship with the NJSA?
A: I’m excited about meeting new people while working with the NJSA team. I also am looking forward to working with the youth and being able to build lasting friendships with people in the swine industry.
Q: What is something people would not typically know about you?
A: I like to experiment with cooking different food, particularly anything barbecue.
Jessica Harsh – NSR Marketing & Communications
Q: Where are you from?
A: Radnor, Ohio – a small village north of Columbus.
Q: Where do you attend school, and what class are you in?
A: I attend Purdue University and will be a senior in the fall.
Q: What are your majors?
A: I have a dual major in agricultural sales and marketing and agricultural communication.
Q: What activities are you involved in at college?
A: While at Purdue, I have been involved with Purdue Ag Ambassadors, the Block & Bridle Club, am an undergraduate teaching assistant and work as a Communications Intern for the Agricultural Economics Department.
Q: What are your future plans within the next five years?
A: After graduating from Purdue in May 2016, I plan to attend graduate school with a degree in agricultural communication, education and leadership. After earning my Master’s degree, I would like to stay in the agriculture industry, focusing on education outreach and/or marketing and communications.
Q: What are you most excited about for your internship with the NSR M&C Team?
A: I am looking forward to helping producers market their business to others in the industry as well as getting to know the purebred swine industry better. I am also excited to learn about the many hats and opportunities the Marketing & Communications Department caters to for NSR.
Q: What is something people would not typically know about you?
A: I danced ballet for 12 years and earned my Pointe shoes. After dancing Pointe for two years, I decided the livestock industry was my true passion, so now, they are a cool decoration piece in my room!
Matt Romoser – NSR Field Staff
Q: Where are you from?
A: Keota, Iowa – a town southwest of Iowa City.
Q: Where do you attend school, and what class are you in?
A: I recently graduated from Iowa State University in May for my undergraduate coursework. I will be returning to Iowa State University this fall as a graduate student.
Q: What was your major?
A: As an undergraduate student, my major was animal sciences.
Q: What activities were you involved in during your undergraduate studies?
A: At Iowa State, I was able to participate in various activities through my involvement in the Block & Bridle Club, College of Agriculture Student Ambassador team, the 2014 Iowa State livestock judging team and an undergraduate teaching assistant and on
Q: What are your future plans within the next five years?
A: I will be returning to Ames, Iowa, in the fall, pursuing a Master’s degree in swine reproductive physiology. Long term, I hope to have a career where I can implement new, applied reproductive technologies in the swine industry that ultimately will facilitate genetic improvement as well as improving efficiency.
Q: What are you most excited about for your internship with the NSR Field Staff?
A: Having the opportunity to travel across the country will definitely be a highlight, but I am really looking forward to meeting with the different producers and learning about their operations and opinions on breeding hogs.
Q: What is something people would not typically know about you?
A: Outside of livestock and following Cyclone sports, I really enjoy woodworking. It is a hobby I picked up through 4-H and my shop classes during high school.