Students from 40 colleges and universities nationwide convened in Atlanta recently for the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Nearly 500 university students and 125 human resource managers and recruiters from 26 companies participated in the program. The College Student Career Program continues to be an efficient and effective way for the poultry industry to find the leaders of the future and has played a vital role in numerous companies’ hiring process for many years. It is the premier career event of its kind for students seeking professions in the poultry industry.

The College Student Career Program opening session was kicked off by Barbara Jenkins, executive director of the USPOULTRY Foundation, who encouraged students to give the poultry industry a try. She recognized some of the veteran industry leaders present, including Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer and Farmer Relationship Advocate for Perdue Farms and past USPOULTRY chairman; Randy Day, chief executive officer for Perdue Farms; and John Starkey, president for USPOULTRY.

As keynote speaker, Kendra Waldbusser, head of Food Safety & Quality for Pilgrim’s, began her presentation by telling students that no matter what motivated them to come to IPPE, there is room for them in the poultry industry. She noted that the poultry industry is positioned to continue growing and that the IPPE brings together tens of thousands of industry people who could become their colleagues and not just in the area of poultry production.

Waldbusser also commented that there is no greater opportunity available than the College Student Career Program for interviewing and exploring career opportunities. She encouraged students to use their interviews to further improve interviewing skills by asking for feedback from interviewers. Finally, Waldbusser reminded students that the future was theirs to determine and that a variety of career options awaited them even after they embark on life after graduation.

About USPOULTRY Foundation
The USPOULTRY Foundation's mission is to support the recruitment and training of the brightest students, seek and fund scientific research, foster student scientists and promote careers in the poultry and egg industry.