Ohio State student gains firsthand experience during internship at CNH

Bryce Schott, a senior in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, completed his summer internship at CNH, a global leader in the agricultural and construction equipment industry. The internship provided Schott with an invaluable opportunity to immerse himself in real-world projects and gain direct experience in a corporate environment.

“When my advisor first suggested I apply for the internship, I was hesitant because I’m an engineer and the position was for a field agronomist,” recalled Schott. Field agronomists study plants to improve their efficiency and health and collect data on their performance. “But my advisor thought it would be an interesting and valuable experience and would entail more than field agronomy. So, I applied, and I am glad I did. I was able to jump right into my role and had to adapt quickly to keep up.”

There were a variety of challenging projects requiring Schott to think critically and apply his academic knowledge in real-world situations. They ranged from field data analysis to preparing high-level presentations, giving him a comprehensive view of CNH and the opportunity to engage in company operations. 

"I had to dive deep into their operations, look at different metrics, and identify areas where we could improve efficiency. It was challenging because it required research and collaboration with different teams, including engineers. It was rewarding to see projects from both an engineer and scientist perspective. Plus, I traveled to multiple states from South Carolina to Utah, and even went to Canada."

For his final project, Schott delivered a report to senior leadership, which proved to be a pivotal learning experience. The opportunity allowed him to refine his skills in communication more clearly and confidently and emphasized the critical importance of thorough preparation and a deep understanding of the material. Schott said his presentation received positive feedback, which boosted his confidence and left him feeling a profound sense of pride in his achievements.

"Before this internship, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take," Schott said. "But now, I feel like I have a better idea. I have realized that I enjoy working in environments where I can solve problems and see the impact of my work. I’m definitely interested in pursuing a career in this field."

“Interns have a big impact on CNH by supporting our goals and bringing new ideas and innovation”, said Kristina Callahan, CNH University recruiter. “They do the work with our full-time staff experiencing what it would be like to be a CNH employee, learning about our culture, and helping us achieve our company goals. Today’s interns are the future CNH employees.”

Schott’s internship experience comes amid a broader partnership between CNH and Ohio State University. Last year, CNH  and Ohio State launched a research collaboration to advance key agricultural technologies. This partnership engages researchers and faculty from Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to focus on precision agriculture, automation, digitalization, and connected platforms.