From Curiosity to Career: Inside Kemin’s 2025 Internship Experience

At Kemin Industries, curiosity is more than a core value—it’s the spark that drives innovation, learning, and leadership. Each summer, we welcome a new class of interns who embody this spirit, bringing fresh perspectives and a hunger to grow. Whether they’re diving into research, sustainability, engineering, or business strategy, our 2025 interns are united by a shared desire to make an impact. We asked them what drew them to Kemin and how this experience fits into their future goals—and their answers reflect the passion and purpose they bring to every project.

2025 Kemin Summer Interns

What piqued your curiosity in an internship at Kemin?

Ava Michels, Sales Intern | Iowa State University

"I’ve always heard great things about Kemin, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The saying, “Compelled by Curiosity,” really resonated with me, as I’m always looking to learn and grow. On top of that, being part of a global organization makes the experience even more meaningful."

Camryn Schultz, R&D Intern | Iowa State University & University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"I wanted to expand on my benchtop lab skills and see what research and development looked like inside of Kemin."

Colleen Cain, Sustainability Intern | Drake University

"I first came upon Kemin as I was searching for summer sustainability internships during my freshman year of college, and I was very excited to hear about Kemin’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. After gaining more job and educational experiences over the last two years, I was eager to apply, and eventually accept the sustainability intern role!"

Hailey Volz, Process Engineer Intern | Iowa State University

"What interested me about Kemin was the family-based company and the improvement of the connection between animals and technology. Since my major is Agricultural Systems Technology and having a minor in animal science, Kemin was the perfect choice with it focusing on sustainable ingredients for pet food."

Katie Morrison, R&D Intern | Central College:

"I have been involved in academic research at Central College for the last two years, including a full-time research position last summer. I have learned a lot about what academic research is like, and I was very curious about research in industry. I had heard good things about Kemin as a company, and when they came to a career fair at Central, I knew I had to apply. The idea of doing research that makes a real-world impact was very appealing to me, and I felt that Kemin was a place to do just that."

Madi Miller, Internal Audit Intern | University of Iowa

"I had the privilege to tour Kemin when I participated in the Leadership Iowa University program for Iowa Interns last summer. I loved the headquarters and all the innovative work that Kemin is doing. When I saw Kemin at our campus career fair, I got in contact about a summer internship. They worked with me to help me find a role that best suited my career aspirations and after interviewing with Internal Audit team, I found that role. I am thrilled to be here this summer and have learned so much!"

Sierra Franklin, Botanical Extraction Intern | Simpson College

"When I applied for my first summer at Kemin, I had a former high school teacher, who is now a current Kemin employee reach out to me about the internship program. I had such a wonderful experience that this is my second summer here! I appreciate how much Kemin allows for the interns to be involved in their projects as well as the overall sense of community here."

How do you see this internship fitting into your career goals?

Ava Michels, Sales Intern | Iowa State University

"This internship is giving me valuable insight into various business functions while helping me build skills that will be useful no matter where my career leads after graduation."

Camryn Schultz, R&D Intern | Iowa State University & University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"I know I would like to work on food R&D for my career and now I am searching for what part of food production I would like to learn more about, and this internship makes me one step closer."

Colleen Cain, Sustainability Intern | Drake University

"In the future, I am looking to go into urban and regional planning or sustainability in local government. This internship fits into this goal by providing me with key insights into how sustainability metrics (such as carbon emissions, water use, waste, etc.) are tracked, as well as how to find environmentally-friendly solutions to operational problems that improve the efficiency of systems currently in place—skills that can be applied anywhere!"

Hailey Volz, Process Engineer Intern | Iowa State University

"I see this internship as a stepping stone on what I want to work on in my career. I am getting hands-on experience working with equipment that is tailored towards animal uses. I am learning how to create pump systems to input products into pet food and rendering plants.
"Being a process engineer, I design, implement, optimize, and maintain industrial processes to ensure efficient and safe production."

Katie Morrison, R&D Intern | Central College

"As I enter my senior year, it is my goal to expand my skillset as much as possible, and this internship has certainly helped with that. The research I am doing here is different from anything I have done in the past, which means I am constantly learning. It has been exciting to gain insight into what research can look like after college, and my experience here is helping me discern what is next for me."

Madi Miller, Internal Audit Intern | University of Iowa

"I have a strong interest in pursuing a career in Learning & Development/Talent Development, as I enjoy working with people and applying my background in psychology. The projects I am working on this summer will not only help me build valuable experience and skills in this area but will also deepen my understanding of Kemin’s work. I am confident that this experience will contribute to my growth as a young professional."

Sierra Franklin, Botanical Extraction Intern | Simpson College

"This internship as a Botanical Extraction Intern is a perfect fit for my career goals because I’m interested in pursuing a future career in scientific research. This role gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with laboratory techniques, extraction processes, and analytical methods that are directly relevant to research as a whole. It also helps me develop critical lab skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for a successful career in research."