Sept. 17, 2025

This piece is sponsored by POET.

Over the summer, POET welcomed 40 interns, each taking on roles that allowed them to contribute, learn and grow alongside experienced team members.

Whether building relationships with producers or testing new ideas in the lab, interns played a hands-on role in advancing POET’s work across the heartland. According to Wendy Alexander, team member experience partner, their impact was felt throughout the company.

“Every year, I’m reenergized by the incredible talent and potential of our POET interns,” Alexander said. “They don’t just show up — they shine. Their curiosity, drive and openness to learning make them a joy to work with.”

That curiosity was on display in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where grain merchandising intern Olivia Marti spent her summer learning how to meet producers’ grain marketing needs.

“From day one, I was treated as a valuable part of the team and encouraged to take initiative, ask questions and own my role,” Marti said. “This experience deepened my understanding of the agriculture industry and strengthened my passion for grain marketing and producer engagement.”

Alexander said that’s exactly the goal POET strives for with its interns.

“What impresses me most is how well-rounded they are,” she said. “Whether they’re collaborating with leaders, connecting with mentors or diving into projects with our teams, they bring a contagious enthusiasm.”

That sense of collaboration is what brought Lara Matuck back for a second summer. Originally from Brazil and a recent graduate of Augustana University, Matuck spent both internships with POET’s fermentation and analytical research teams, contributing to projects on corn quality and fiber conversion.

“I gained laboratory experience and strengthened my wet chemistry and data analysis skills,” Matuck said. “But the most valuable part of my internships was the time I spent with team members. Company culture at POET is one of their top priorities, and I’ve always felt welcomed.”

Her experience mirrors what Alexander sees as the heart of the program: developing not just technical skills but also personal confidence and strong relationships and learning the importance of company culture.

“They’re smart, thoughtful, kind and eager to grow,” Alexander said. “Watching them sharpen their communication, develop their soft skills and build connections that last beyond the summer is inspiring.”

From the lab to the field, each intern contributed to meaningful work and brought energy and ideas that left an impact throughout POET, demonstrating the strength and potential of the company’s next generation of leaders.

POET is dedicated to cultivating tomorrow’s leaders and field experts. The internship program seeks to foster an environment of learning and leading to give the next generation a head start on their career goals and aspirations. To learn more about POET’s internships, visit poet.com/interns.