Cows, research, and ambition: WSU student lands competitive internship at a feedlot
By Steve Nakata, Student Affairs
Washington State University junior Thea Seeberger said if she could work with animals every day, she would be very happy. That opportunity came much sooner than expected as she recently learned she was selected for a coveted summer internship located on a cattle feedlot, of all places.
Seeberger is an animal science major, so the internship with Beef Northwest Feeders, one of the nation’s largest cattle feeding operations, is not as farfetched as it sounds. She will conduct antibiotic research on cattle at the Boardman, Oregon feedlot. It is the first year the company has offered a research internship. Even though Seeberger hails from a big city in California where cows are essentially nonexistent, she was deemed by Beef Northwest to be a great match for the position.
“It was terrifying meeting students who grew up on cattle ranches during my on-site visit in Oregon,” Seeberger said. “One girl told me she is third in line to manage her family’s cow ranch, and that was intimidating.”
TMP helped Seeberger build skills and confidence
Seeberger’s previous research experience at WSU and the leadership skills she developed in the Team Mentoring Program (TMP) set her apart from the other candidates. TMP is a program in Student Affairs that provides critical support for a cohort of students majoring in STEM and pre-health fields. It partners with the Colleges of Agriculture, Human, and Resource Sciences (CAHNRS); Arts and Sciences; Veterinary Medicine; and Engineering and Architecture to provide participants with student and faculty mentoring, as well as opportunities to build professional networks.
Seeberger currently serves as a TMP student mentor and has been selected to lead the mentoring crew in CAHNRS next academic year.
“The program helped me come out of my shell, meet people, and develop a network of support,” Seeberger said. “It has been a safe place that has allowed me to gain a lot of self-confidence.”
One of her key supporters is Bert Tanner, an adjunct associate professor in veterinary and biomedical research. As a TMP faculty mentor, Tanner meets with Seeberger regularly and helps coach her on things like searching for internships and building a good resume.
“A lot of times students think faculty are scary and that we don’t want to talk with them,” Tanner said. “What I tell students is faculty, especially those in TMP, want to be their biggest advocates and allies.”
Contributing to important research
Tanner’s encouragement went a long way in helping Seeberger make it through the rigorous internship selection process. She first learned about Beef Northwest when a company representative visited one of her classes. She applied for an internship there in October, and, after a phone interview, she was invited to participate in an intern field day in Boardman. Over two days, Seeberger and all internship finalists networked with Beef Northwest employees, toured the facilities and participated in mock projects and problem-solving activities. She made the cut and was invited back one more time for a working interview. Soon after, she was notified to report for her internship on May 23.
Seeberger is excited for the opportunity to contribute to some important antibiotic research that impacts the health of both cattle and humans. Antibiotics are given to cows primarily to treat or prevent bacterial infections, which can occur when crowded conditions cause stress on the animals.
“Antibiotics help maintain their health and welfare which leads to optimal growth and productivity on the farm,” Seeberger said. “But using too much can lead to resistant bacteria, which can threaten human health.”
Sammy Rodriguez-Flecha, director of TMP, said Seeberger is “a go-getter,” recalling a very successful panel discussion she helped organize last semester for pre-vet students. So, it came as no surprise to him when she was selected for the paid summer internship. “She has done a great job helping her mentees feel welcomed on campus and connecting them with valuable resources,” Rodriguez-Flecha said. “This internship is another major accomplishment she can add to her portfolio, and I can’t wait for her to share her experiences with her mentees in the fall.”