2021 SUMMER INTERNS: Emma Hoffschneider

Wow time flies when you are having fun! Or so the saying goes… For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Emma Hoffschneider, I am a marketing communications intern at the headquarters in Aurora, NE. This fall I will begin my junior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I am a dual major in Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Communications and Agricultural Economics-Public Policy with a minor in Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. This summer has been one full of new experiences and growing knowledge.  

Coming from a rural part of Central Nebraska, I have been surrounded by agriculture from a young age. However, this summer was one of my first opportunities to dive headfirst into the world of marketing within the agricultural industry. These past 11 weeks have been nothing but one adventure after the other, and I am excited for what is to come during the remainder of my internship.  

While interning at Aurora Cooperative this summer, I have gained not only an understanding of the cooperative system and all its moving parts, but a new level of appreciation. The middle of June we attended the NCC Co-op Intern Retreat in Kearney, NE. Here we were able to connect with other interns from different cooperatives across the state, listen to current cooperative CEO’s and communicate with a producer panel as we listened to their own cooperative experiences. Coming back from the Intern Retreat, I had a newfound knowledge of the cooperative system as a whole and a different perspective to take on my main project for this summer! 

This summer I have been working on several different projects. Some have included grabbing a camera and taking photos to build our image library, creating promotional videos for ethanol month in July, digital design work and the list goes on and on. Nonetheless, my main project this summer is our Aurora Cooperative #MoreThanAJob recruitment campaign. Through this campaign, I have had the opportunity to create and launch a detailed social media marketing campaign utilizing video marketing. Through this campaign, I have been able to see the “behind the scenes” view of several different positions in our cooperative. From going out to a customer’s farm with our animal nutrition department to riding in an applicator and everything in between. I have gained a wide range of knowledge and experiences this summer.  

My favorite part of interning with Aurora Cooperative, besides the free coffee every morning, is the variety I have in my work schedule. Every week is different, and I am encouraged to think outside the box and try something different with every task I am assigned. This summer has been one for daily adventures, challenging others’ expectations and fulfilling work. It is crazy how fast time has flown by, but I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the summer has in store for me!