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Students and Graduates

Now that you’re done, or almost done, with your college career, you’re probably wondering, “now what?” Or maybe you’re still in school, trying to figure out what you want to do. The fact that you’re on this site is a step in the right direction. We hope you’ll explore how Dairy Farmers of America can be an exciting career option for you.

For current students, an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain real-life working experience while you’re still learning. And because we care deeply about the next generation of great talent, we’ve invested in a variety of scholarship funds.
Students tossing mortarboard hatsStudents tossing mortarboard hats

Students and Graduates

Now that you’re done, or almost done, with your college career, you’re probably wondering, “now what?” Or maybe you’re still in school, trying to figure out what you want to do. The fact that you’re on this site is a step in the right direction. We hope you’ll explore how Dairy Farmers of America can be an exciting career option for you.

For current students, an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain real-life working experience while you’re still learning. And because we care deeply about the next generation of great talent, we’ve invested in a variety of scholarship funds.

Programs

Scholarships

Ensuring a bright future for the dairy industry
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Explore scholarship

Internships

Gain exposure to the Cooperative’s business
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Explore internships

Rotational program: experience

Grow professionally with experience, education and exposure
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Explore rotational program

Scholarships

At DFA, we believe it is important to invest in the next generation of leaders to ensure a bright future for the dairy industry. That is why we established the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship Program.

The Foundation awards scholarships in three categories of students in an accredited degree program:
  1. Incoming freshman: High school seniors or recent graduates who have been accepted to college but have not yet started classes
  2. Undergraduate students: Students who are currently participating in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program but have not yet graduated
  3. Graduate/professional students: Students enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program

APPLICATIONS AND CRITERIA

Please include the following:

  1. Applicant’s future career plans, core values and potential for impact to the food and dairy industries demonstrated through responses to three essay questions
  2. Extracurricular activities, awards, recognition and work experience
  3. Academic achievement
  4. Two letters of recommendation and a recent transcript
Please submit your DFA Cares scholarship application by 11:59 p.m. CST, Jan. 12,2024.
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Submit application online

Internships

DFA interns get more than just school credit; they get experiences, connections and a paycheck. Interns will learn the ins and outs of the business, attend company conferences and events and participate in department meetings and team brainstorming sessions.

Intern positions are available in a variety of office settings as well as manufacturing plants, labs and field positions throughout the United States.

Below is a list of our most common internship opportunities:
  • Agriculture business, finance, accounting, auditing
  • Communications, journalism
  • Engineering
  • Human resources
  • Information technology
  • Insurance and safety
  • Legal
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing, economics
  • Member services
  • Quality assurance and compliance
  • Research and development
  • Sales and customer service
  • Supply chain
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Explore internship openings

Rotational Program: Experience

DFA Ingredient Solutions Division is a trusted partner for domestic and global food companies and customers, providing innovative dairy and taste solutions that nourish people around the world. Our Experience program gives you the opportunity to grow professionally through experience, education and exposure to our Cooperative.
Learn more about the ingredients solution division

Rotational tracks

Depending on your career interests, you will be placed into one of two rotational tracks. You will spend approximately two years rotating through business functions associated with the tracks below where you will have the opportunity to work in various locations across the country.
  • Commercial track: Sales, marketing, research and development, manufacturing operations and customer service/order fulfillment
  • Technical track: Engineering, assets/technology, research and development, manufacturing operations and optimization

Future Roles

After your rotation, you have the opportunity to move into a role that will continue developing your skills and capability for a future leadership role.

  • Commercial track: Sales manager, sales representative, sales operations manager, associate marketing manager, food scientist or innovation manager
  • Technical track: Project engineer, continuous improvement supervisor, production manager, technical manager, pricing analyst or research scientist