Full circle: Current, former Cargill interns swap stories 

If you had the chance to look into a crystal ball and see your future, would you take it?  
 
For Mamifio (Fio) Kulee, a current supply chain intern at Cargill, meeting Tommy Clark might be the next best thing. Tommy did a supply chain internship at Cargill seven years ago. Today, he’s a senior supply chain optimization analyst in our animal nutrition business. 
 
For National Intern Day (July 25), we spoke with them both to see what they could learn from one another and share with us. 

From newbie to expert in one summer 

Mamifio (Fio) Kulee is a supply chain intern at Cargill’s Office Center headquarters in Minnesota. As a rising senior in college, Fio has her eyes set on a career in supply chain. 

Her first day at Cargill introduced her to the company and marked her foray into the food and agriculture sector. 

The experience has been eye-opening, says the supply chain management major at the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

“When I came in, I didn’t realize how complex this industry was,” Fio observes. “So, on my first day, it was like drinking water from a fire hose learning it all.”

During her internship, Fio says she’s developed technical skills and learned a lot about managing meal inventory levels at a variety of terminal plants, she says. 

She’s also learned she doesn’t have to have all the answers. 

My strengths have shown up for me in this internship — like giving things my all,” she says. “But I’ve learned that some things are beyond me and that’s okay.” 

Fio hopes to graduate and join Cargill’s supply chain rotational program. The draw? The opportunities to work with Cargill’s larger, global community and explore supply chain management, she says. 
 
And that’s something Tommy knows about …

Former intern turned supply chain leader 

Tommy Clark began his career at Cargill as an intern in an Ohio salt facility.  Tommy’s career path offers Fio a glimpse into her potential future.

Six years ago, Tommy was a supply chain intern for the second time at one of our Ohio salt facilities.

“I remember my time in the plant as a dynamic and energizing experience,” Tommy shares. “Everyone works together to produce and ship what the customer needs and do it safely." 

After graduating from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tommy joined Cargill’s supply chain rotational program with its cross-functional experiences. Today, he leads his own supply chain team in the animal nutrition business.  
 
The most fulfilling experience? Mentoring associates and seeing their career development, he explains. 
 
“It gives me so much energy to work with colleagues and mentor associates,” Tommy says. I’ve been on the other end of it, so it comes full circle.” 
 

Parallels in their journeys to full-time roles

Tommy with his family (left) and Fio posing at the Office Center.

While they’re in different stages of their career, there are parallels between their journeys.

Both Tommy and Fio faced challenges during their internships. Tommy managed a high-pressure plant shutdown, learning the importance of workplace safety. Fio figured out how to automate meal terminal inventory processes using an excel power theory system, adding new technical skills to her portfolio. 

Their internships have taught them lessons that go beyond textbooks — resilience, hard work and effective communication, they say. 

“I’ve learned to balance the technical aspects of supply chain with the human side of collaboration,” Fio summarizes.  
 

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