Jessica Johnson is a Tarleton State University alumni. Her time at Tarleton helped her realize her passion in Meat Science and helped her get the dream job! Read along to hear Jessica’s story:

When did you graduate? What was your major/field of study? A fun fact or two?

I graduated in May 2020 with my B.S. in Animal Science – Production and May 2022 with my M.S. in Animal Science – Meat Science, both from Tarleton. I don’t have too many fun facts, but I am a first generation college graduate and I get to do what I love every day!

Why did you choose Tarleton?

There are a few reasons I chose to attend Tarleton. It is relatively close to my hometown (Flower Mound, Texas) and I was interested in riding on the equestrian team, but the most important reason of all, I felt at home when touring. Basing my decision on that feeling was one of the best decisions I ever made. Tarleton became my home for 6 years!

What did your involvement look like at Tarleton?

During undergrad I was heavily involved on the equestrian team where I qualified for IHSA Nationals in 2018 and served as the 2018-2019 President. I was also a member of the Alpha Zeta honor society and worked as a student worker at the Tarleton State Meat Laboratory. In grad school I was lucky enough to have one of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo graduate assistantships that allowed me to teach multiple courses in animal science and assist with research. Being a graduate assistant opened many opportunities for me to connect with other students at Tarleton and share my passion for the meat and food science industry.

How did you get your internship with Tyson? Were you looking for this position or something similar? Was there someone who helped you get the position or encouraged you along the way?

I originally heard about the Tyson Research and Development (R&D) internship my sophomore year in my Animal Science Seminar class. An alumni who worked for Tyson at the time came and presented about the internship opportunity and it immediately peaked my interest. At that time though, I had no knowledge of the meat/food science industry, so I didn’t think it would ever be an option for me. Little did I know a year later, I would take the Meat Science class and fall in love. I had yet to get an internship to graduate with my Bachelors, so I decided to apply for the Summer 2019 Tyson internship and I was denied. I didn’t give up hope though. I took a food safety and quality assurance internship at Farm to Market Foods to get my foot in the door and build my resume. Following that internship, I got a job working at the Tarleton State Meat Laboratory and ultimately decided to stay at Tarleton to pursue my Masters. Between my senior year and my first semester of my Masters I was able to gain a ton of valuable knowledge as well as meet and build relationships with many industry professionals through the connections my professors had. One of my professors, Dr. Cassens, was a previous Tyson R&D intern and introduced me to fellow Tyson Food Scientists. I slowly began to build relationships within the industry and decided to apply for the Summer 2021 Tyson internship, and I got it. A dream of mine finally came true. Hard work, networking, and supportive professors allowed me to finally have this opportunity.

How has this internship impacted your life and future career?

The internship impacted my life in so many ways. I learned truly what R&D entails. I made connections that will last a lifetime. I gained confidence in my knowledge of meat/food science, but ultimately the internship was an 11-week interview that opened the door for a full-time position. After finishing my final year of my Masters and defending my thesis, I accepted a full-time Food Scientist position with Tyson Foods at their world headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. A job I only dreamt about for almost 4 years.

What would you say to students who are interested in internships? Or what encouragement would you give to these students?

My advice for students interested in pursuing internships is to work hard for your dreams and never underestimate the power of yourself or the connections you have made along the way. How hard you’re willing to work to achieve your goals, and the relationships you make, will speak volumes about you as a person.

Interested in a degree in Animal Science? Learn more at https://www.tarleton.edu/animalsciences/.