This summer, third-year law student at the University of Mississippi, Jimpson Young III, got a crash course in contract and risk management, but he did not gain that experience in a classroom, he gained it in the school of hard knocks. Instead of taking summer courses, Young elected to pursue a different form of education this summer when he applied for Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ summer internship program earlier this year. 

Even though he did not know much about the poultry industry at the time, Young knew the program would allow him the opportunity to gain hands-on experience from the nation’s third largest poultry producer’s legal team and many other supporting roles for the company. “My favorite aspect of the internship thus far has been learning new information pertaining to the chicken industry, while researching legal issues relevant to the company’s operation,” said Young. 

Growing up, Young always dreamed of becoming a lawyer, particularly a trial lawyer, but that dream has since evolved to becoming part of an organization’s legal counsel. “My main motivation to pursue a law degree was to be able to gain skills that would be relevant and useful to almost any endeavor I chose to pursue,” said Young. “I chose to go to Ole Miss for my law degree because the majority of the Mississippi attorneys I have high regards for attended Ole Miss for their law degree.”  

Answering directly to Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ associate general counsel and the corporate manager of risk and claims, Young has had a front row seat to learn about the company’s strategy for risk management, contract execution and regulatory compliance. This first-hand experience will be invaluable to Young as he continues his education and pursues employment following graduation. During the remainder of his internship this summer, Young hopes to learn more about the company’s risk management responsibilities, including how to best mitigate risks on behalf of the company. 

“My career plan after school is to work for a company or institution handling contract management or compliance,” said Young. “This internship program has influenced my future plans by opening my eyes to other non-conventional law careers, where I could still use my skills learned in law school.”  

Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ summer internship program is a paid, 10-week internship program that allows students to gain real-world experience, develop professionally, learn about the poultry industry and earn opportunities for full-time employment with the company following graduation. As an intern, students have the opportunity to work in four key areas of the company’s business, which are live production, processing, prepared foods and corporate administration.  

“I would recommend the summer internship because of the vast number of people with different roles and occupations that work for this company who can offer guidance and insight in a field students may be interested in,” said Young. “From my experience in the internship, I would definitely be interested in full-time employment with Wayne-Sanderson Farms. I have seen a very structured team that works well together that I would like to be a part of.”