Cargill
Your Internship
Gain real experience. Learn from the best. See how your work matters.
Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow’s global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships and propel your career.
Commodity Trading Internship
Our Commodity Trading internship program enables the individual to build relationships with internal and external customers to successfully buy, move, process, and/or sell grain and its products. It is the blending of skills and knowledge in a fast paced, dynamic working environment. The trading intern will practice and grow their understanding in economics, communications, customer service, risk assessment, and decision-making.
Your Work
- Develop and maintain customer relationships with country elevators, producers, feed mills, end users and processors
- Analyze supply and demand, survey market conditions, and other economic forces in order to maintain and grow Cargill’s position in the marketplace
- Initiate, negotiate and agree on terms of commodity purchase/sale contracts, such as price, quality, quantity, transportation, timing and payment
- Coordinate transportation and logistics to execute commodity contracts
- Ensure thorough and accurate follow-up, execution, and closure of all contracts
- Provide timely and effective communication and interaction with other Cargill teams such as sales, transportation and logistics, quality assurance, plant personnel, engineers, and accountants
- Make occasional plant and crop survey trips to visit with suppliers, and internal and external customers
- Complete and present a project that is critical to the work process, customer interaction or market improvement
- Complete and collaborate on other projects and assignments as needed
Key Capabilities For Success
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills
- Sound judgment and decision-making skills, even when outcome is uncertain
- Comfortable taking and managing risks and challenging the status quo
- Strong oral and written communication skills; strong persuasion and negotiation skills
- Effective interpersonal skills; working in a team environment; coaching and developing others
- Essential leadership qualities of integrity, conviction and courage
- Motivated and driven to succeed
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work in a fast paced, price-volatile, changing environment
- Willing to relocate and accept challenging responsibilities
Our Programming
- With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction.
- As employees, interns receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities.
- Throughout the internship, interns and co-ops are invited to participate in events that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops and employees across the U.S.
Internship Details
- Internships are typically 12 weeks in duration.
- Interns are paid hourly for time worked.
- Interns are responsible for transportation to and from work.
- Interns may have the opportunity to travel during their term.
- Interns who demonstrate outstanding performance and a curiosity to learn more may be offered an internship or full-time position to return the following year.
Our Benefits
No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As an intern, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you thrive. Eligible programs and incentives include:
- Paid time off
- Mental Health and Wellbeing program
- Digital Learning Library
- Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify
Our Network
Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the internship, you will also receive consistent support from university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor.
Our Vibrant Community
At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees.
Our U.S. Business Resource Groups Include
Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Group Responsible for Orienting and Welcoming (GROW), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network.
Job Locations:
- Various U.S. locations: Eddyville, IA; Omaha, NE; Amarillo, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Lafayette, IN; Kansas City, KS; Wahpeton, ND
- Plant or office setting, must be open to interning in either type of setting
Application Process
Candidates who meet the required qualifications below and who are selected for a final-round interview will be asked to complete an assessment within 72 hours of the interview. Then selected finalists will be invited to interview at Cargill’s Corporate Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota or virtually if needed.
Required Qualifications
- Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer
- Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited program graduating between December 2023 to August 2024.
- Candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for an internship opportunity anywhere in the U.S.
- Able to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June – August 2023)
- Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures
- Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to contribute, both as part of a team and individually
- Strong communication skills – written and oral
Cargill highly encourages vaccinations but does not mandate at this time. Upon hire, you will be asked to provide your vaccination status, and if unvaccinated or if you choose not to disclose, you would be expected to follow Cargill’s safety protocols for unvaccinated employees (i.e., mask mandates, and social distancing).
Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet.
To apply for this job please visit careers.cargill.com.