Karsyn Sloan’s Summer Internship Grows Skills and Passion for Agriculture

Published: February 09, 2026

Author: Luis Palmer

Photo by Dave Bell

Hands-On Learning in the Field

The dusty metal ladder was cold beneath Karsyn Sloan's hand as she climbed atop a semi, the scent of fertilizer sharp in the air. This was her reality during a summer internship with Nutrien Ag Solutions, an experience that became her first genuine hands-on agricultural opportunity—and one that transformed curiosity into conviction.

For Sloan, a Greenville University student majoring in agribusiness, this wasn’t just a summer job. It was proof that GU’s experiential learning model works—where classroom lessons meet real-world application.

“100% I believe an internship is necessary,” Sloan said. “I learned so much more in three months about the things I love than I had in three years in a classroom.”

Through long days in the sun and fast-paced fieldwork, Sloan discovered both the demands and rewards of the career she felt called to pursue.

From Classroom Theory to Practical Skills

At Nutrien, Sloan’s responsibilities were anything but routine. She filed and mailed invoices, scouted fields, took tissue and soil samples, and even helped load trucks—tasks that tested both her endurance and her knowledge.

Early on, the challenges shook her confidence. “At first, I felt like I knew absolutely nothing and was second-guessing why I ever wanted to dive into this career path,” she admitted. But lessons from GU’s Plants and People course came rushing back—specifically, identifying the nodes on a corn plant. That small spark of recognition offered a lifeline of confidence. “I realized I might not know much,” she said, “but I know at least one thing.”

As the weeks went on, Sloan’s skill set expanded. She learned how to drive a ten-speed semi and fly a drone used for applying crop treatments. “I sure can get one moving,” she said with a laugh. “And it was the most exciting feeling.”

One unforgettable moment came after a small mistake—overfilling a tank and watching it nearly overflow. Instead of defeat, the experience taught her to ask the right questions. "I realized the questions that need to be asked to gain the knowledge I need to complete a task effectively," Sloan said. Growth came not through perfection, but persistence.

Building Confidence and Breaking Barriers

Sloan’s turning point came through mentorship. Every member of her Nutrien team became a teacher in their own right. Her manager challenged her with complex math problems, while another coworker offered patient guidance for every question, no matter how small.

By the end of the summer, the girl who doubted herself stood tall. “I think sales is a place I would like to experience,” she said—something she had firmly ruled out at the start of her internship. The confidence didn’t appear overnight, but through every task, every mistake, and every encouraging word.

One mentor’s final advice still echoes in her mind: “Do not sell yourself short.”

“The way my coworkers and even customers believed in me,” Sloan reflected, “was so encouraging.”

Her time in the fields deepened her appreciation for creation itself. "Something is inspiring about watching the life cycle of a plant from seed to harvest," she said. "Being part of that creates a truly amazing feeling." Without a family farming background, Sloan once questioned whether she belonged in the field. Now she knows: she does.

Leading with Courage and Grace

As she enters her senior year, Sloan carries one lesson above all—courage.

“After this internship, I’m not afraid to ask questions or reach out to people for opportunities,” she said. That boldness already paid off when she contacted local farmers to help during harvest, putting her new skills into practice.

Her experience also reshaped how she views mistakes. A coworker once told her, “I could’ve easily made the same mistake,” a simple phrase that changed her perspective. “It lightened the hearts in the room,” she said, “and taught me about grace in the workplace.”

Sloan’s story mirrors Greenville University’s mission—cultivating leaders of character and service through immersive learning and faith in action. “If this internship did anything for me, it made me confident,” she said. “I want to inspire others who love agriculture but feel like they don’t have the typical background.”

Looking ahead, Sloan hopes to keep her boots in the dirt and her heart in the work. “I don’t want to be confined to an office or a screen,” she said. “I want to be in the fields, learning and growing alongside others.”

Her summer in the soil did more than shape a career path—it reminded her that calling often grows in unexpected ground.