Southern Specialties taps into Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways program for intern
Southern Specialties taps into Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways program for intern
Alejandra Pineda, a 22-year-old senior at Michigan State University, began her internship with Southern Specialties in Pompano Beach, FL, in early May. She is now working in the procurement department.
"My introduction to Gary James, COO of Southern Specialties, was during the PMA Fresh Summit in Houston, Texas, in 2007," said Ms. Pineda. "The Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways scholarship program brings agriculture and food marketing students and faculty from select colleges and universities to the event, and I was fortunate to be one of the chosen students."
The scholarship program is designed to provide information, education and networking opportunities that showcase the opportunities and rewards of careers in the produce industry. Scholarships are funded through donations made by the Jay and Ruthie Pack Family Foundation and the Produce Marketing Association.
"Each student is assigned a mentor at the event," Ms. Pineda continued. "My interest is in specialties, so my mentor took me to meet Mr. James. He explained that Southern Specialties did not have an intern program at that time, but as our conversation continued, he said he felt it was time to begin one. I came to Pompano Beach in early March of this year for a one-week orientation, and then returned to begin my internship on May 12. I will be here until August 22."
"We were looking into an intern program in advance of our meeting Alejandra, but speaking with her was the final inspiration we needed to make it happen," said Mr. James. "We feel the benefits extend to both her and to our company, and it introduces young people to the produce industry. Our goal is to introduce her to all aspects of the business so as to broaden her exposure as much as possible. She, in turn, will bring new ideas from an educational arena that we can integrate into our systems."
Mr. James said that an intern program is also beneficial because it can supplement the staff whenever a department needs additional help. And he feels that interns are seriously career-minded, which makes them want to learn as much as possible.
Ms. Pineda, who is from Honduras, where her family currently resides, said that she wants to remain in the United States for the foreseeable future. "I will graduate from college next December," she said. "Southern Specialties has offered me a permanent position in its procurement department after I graduate. I am already learning how the produce industry works, and how Southern Specialties' staff responds to every situation presented to them. I learn something new from each one of them every day."
"My introduction to Gary James, COO of Southern Specialties, was during the PMA Fresh Summit in Houston, Texas, in 2007," said Ms. Pineda. "The Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways scholarship program brings agriculture and food marketing students and faculty from select colleges and universities to the event, and I was fortunate to be one of the chosen students."
The scholarship program is designed to provide information, education and networking opportunities that showcase the opportunities and rewards of careers in the produce industry. Scholarships are funded through donations made by the Jay and Ruthie Pack Family Foundation and the Produce Marketing Association.
"Each student is assigned a mentor at the event," Ms. Pineda continued. "My interest is in specialties, so my mentor took me to meet Mr. James. He explained that Southern Specialties did not have an intern program at that time, but as our conversation continued, he said he felt it was time to begin one. I came to Pompano Beach in early March of this year for a one-week orientation, and then returned to begin my internship on May 12. I will be here until August 22."
"We were looking into an intern program in advance of our meeting Alejandra, but speaking with her was the final inspiration we needed to make it happen," said Mr. James. "We feel the benefits extend to both her and to our company, and it introduces young people to the produce industry. Our goal is to introduce her to all aspects of the business so as to broaden her exposure as much as possible. She, in turn, will bring new ideas from an educational arena that we can integrate into our systems."
Mr. James said that an intern program is also beneficial because it can supplement the staff whenever a department needs additional help. And he feels that interns are seriously career-minded, which makes them want to learn as much as possible.
Ms. Pineda, who is from Honduras, where her family currently resides, said that she wants to remain in the United States for the foreseeable future. "I will graduate from college next December," she said. "Southern Specialties has offered me a permanent position in its procurement department after I graduate. I am already learning how the produce industry works, and how Southern Specialties' staff responds to every situation presented to them. I learn something new from each one of them every day."
