This summer I was fortunate to continue working at Bayer
Crop Science Innovation Center at The University of Illinois Research Park. I was
able to extend my project working with the University Relations Strategy team
out of the corporate office in Chesterfield, Missouri. Even though, I have been
with the company since 2017, I went along with 17 new summer interns for the orientation
at the corporate office in Creve Coeur, Missouri. While it was my very first visit
to the corporate campus, the other interns referred to me as “mother hen” the
entire trip as being a “veteran employee” I always made sure we were where we
needed to be and answered any questions they had.
While I spent most of my summer in the office continuing the
university relations project, I was also strung to take on many other tasks
within the Innovation Center. As an Ag Business Analyst, I spent the majority
of my time cataloging recent Legacy Monsanto university collaboration data to
determine the business purpose/intent of the collaborations. I spent days learning
how to use the program, Spotfire. Then, I developed a Spotfire tool to help
visualize the legacy data that will in the end be the foundation that the Bayer
University Strategy Team will use to optimize the benefits derived from
university collaborations across Bayer. Being the “veteran,” I worked closely
with the other interns and developed “intern spotlights” and “intern profiles”
to distribute weekly to their project leads and higher leadership within Bayer
Crop Science. 
Throughout the summer, as a group we were able to take a tour of
Bayer’s White Heath and Thomasboro (my old stomping grounds) locations. Coming
from working out in the fields every day to sitting in a large open office
space, it was an adjustment so luckily, I was given the opportunity to take the
lead and get out of the office and get my hands dirty while cleaning up and
maintaining our pollinator habitat out back of the office.
One of the greatest parts about interning with Bayer is the networking
experience. Everyone within the company is very passionate about the work they’re
doing and the work the company is doing. I have previously gained two mentors
from the Thomasboro locations but luckily, I was able to take a full day this summer
to travel to STL and spend the whole day networking around the Chesterfield
Bayer Crop Science location with many individuals at different leadership
levels. What an amazing yet, intimidating experience that was!
As the summer internship opportunity came to an end, all of
us Innovation Center interns traveled to Chesterfield to present our project
posters. This was an experience for any individuals within the company to come
by and learn about the work we focused on all summer. It was not only a
presentation for us but as well as a great way to network within the company. (Pictured
below with my poster- as the material is Bayer Confidential unfortunately it is
whited out.) Then, July 26th came, and I said “see ya later” to all
the other student interns as they have a break for summer, but I am fortunate enough
to extend my work and continue throughout the rest of summer and the 2019-2020
school year. 
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