*Applications for Summer 2025 are OPEN!*

The summer internship project will be focused on enhancing feed management practices with GPS FeedFIT™ Assessment.

"I gained invaluable research, farm, and networking experiences with GPS. From my visits to farms across the upper Midwest and completing a research project, I experienced the bridge between industry and research to understand not only how but why research is important to advance dairy farm success. This internship challenged me to expand my communication skills, develop a greater awareness of essential farm management practices, and prepare for a career in dairy nutrition."

- Julie Opgenorth Michigan State University, Master's Student, Dairy Nutrition

When:
  • Preferred Start Date: May 19, 2025
  • End Date: August 15, 2025
Who:
  • The preferred intern candidate should be entering his or her senior year of undergrad or entering/ already enrolled in graduate school.
Where:

  • Where you live is flexible based on daily travel expectations in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Building Experience:
  • Ride alongs with GPS/NPI Nutrition Consultants throughout the summer
    • Primarily – IA, MN, SD and WI
  • Attend Industry events with the GPS team
    • 4-State Nutrition Conference
    • ADSA Meeting in Louisville, KY
    • GPS/NPI Summer EDS Meeting
    • GPS Leaders Forum
  • Internal GPS/NPI learning sessions – 2x/month virtually
  • Exposure to ration modeling
    • Forage analysis
    • Nutrition software review
    • Diet review to understand ration assembly
  • Industry networking to strengthen intern’s knowledge of the dairy industry
Summer Project:
  • The intern will evaluate farms using Go-Pro cameras, bunk cameras and feed sampling. The cameras will be given to the intern for use during the summer. Once a farm assessment is completed, a report will be completed to share with the dairy and highlight areas of opportunity. GPS/NPI will also ask for recommendations from all farm assessments to be compiled into one document and shared at the end of the internship program to the entire team at their internal meeting, Summer EDS. The intern must be proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for fulfilling this project and have these programs on their own laptop, as well as be a strong communicator to ensure successful completion of this project. The intern will have two GPS/NPI mentors to help guide him/her with scheduling and facilitating the project. GPS/NPI will include the intern on its Microsoft Teams channel for seamless communication with the entire team.
Compensation:
  • This is a paid internship consisting of a stipend paid monthly along with mileage, hotel, event registration and meal reimbursement. The intern is required to have his/her own vehicle for travel.

The application deadline is November 1st, 2024. Please apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to angelhorn@gpsdairy.com using the subject line "2025 GPS/NPI Summer Internship"

The intern will be selected by December 1st, 2024.

“Interning with GPS was a very rewarding and educational experience. Through a variety of ride-alongs and assisting on a research project, I was able to expand my knowledge in dairy nutrition and the world of dairy consulting. I was able to grow professionally by attending industry conferences and assisting in the GPS Feeder Schools. Working with this incredible team of consultants was an amazing opportunity and will continue to have a positive impact on my graduate studies and future career.“

- Malia Martin, UW-Madison, Master’s Student, Dairy Nutrition