Two agribusiness students highlight diverse paths to a digital agriculture career

This summer, two students interning at Innovation Farms highlight the diverse career paths available in digital agriculture. While both students are working towards a BSc in Agribusiness at the University of Manitoba, they arrived at Innovation Farms with very different roles and skills. 

Antonio De Luca returned to EMILI for his second summer internship as a communications assistant, honing his skills writing and coordinating content for social media. Tanner West joined as Innovation Farms’ summer student to support farm projects that are demonstrating, testing, and validating new agricultural technologies. Both De Luca and West are examples of how summer internships can help develop skills and inspire new career passions.

For students like De Luca who do not come from a farming background, participating in internships has advanced his skills. Returning to EMILI for a second summer has proven how his skills have progressed over the last year.

“I feel like I’ve grown in every aspect,” De Luca said. He can tell he’s developing his skills because he is getting to work on more diverse projects than the year before. “Being able to wear different hats is something I’ve learned being here at EMILI.” 

For West, who does come from a farming background, summer internships helped him discover new fields of interest. West had previously completed a mechanical engineering diploma at Red River College and participated in a summer internship at MacDon, an agriculture equipment manufacturer. It was during that internship, he said, that his interest in an agricultural career spiked. He wanted to learn more about agriculture beyond machinery, which led him to digital agriculture.

“Digital agriculture is very innovative,” said West, “and wherever there’s innovation there’s opportunity.” 

Working in the field with digital tools has been a highlight for West throughout his internship. He also said that the chance to “interact with different companies and people in agriculture [has been] a great way to connect and learn different things, and learn from other people in the industry.”

West added that while he was expecting to further his knowledge of digital agriculture and technology, he was surprised to develop some human skills in communications as well. At EMILI, he’s had the opportunity to give presentations and lead farm tours. 

“I’m getting more experience in public speaking,” West said. “I feel like that’s going to benefit me in the future for different job opportunities.” 

Both De Luca and West said they would encourage their peers to participate in a digital agriculture summer internship for the hands-on learning and networking opportunities. 

If you’re interested to learn more about agricultural internships and work-integrating learning, visit EMILI’s online resource.