Chynna Chun, a seed technician at Bayer, started a fulfilling agriculture career in Hawaiʻi while she was a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa through the Bayer Summer Student Associate program, which offers paid internships.
“This has been a transformative experience for me. It has not only deepened my understanding of agricultural practices but also opened doors to my current career opportunities in the field,” said Chun, who graduated in 2023 with a bachelor of science in tropical agriculture and the environment.
Bayer Hawaii is working with the UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) to offer career-building and real-world opportunities to young people. Since its launch in 2023, the Bayer Hawaii Summer Student Associate program has welcomed eight student associates, with five eventually hired full-time at Bayer. This summer, two more CTAHR students joined the program.
This collaboration addresses the growing workforce needs in the agriculture sector and empowers students to gain experience and develop essential skills while aligning with Bayer’s mission of “Health for all, Hunger for none.”
Students can interact with business leaders, gain experience in a global life science company with local impact, receive personalized job application mentorship, and get hands-on corporate training. Opportunities offered by Bayer include roles in integrated pest management, data analytics, aerial imagery, corporate sustainability.
Becky Ryan, Bayer Hawaii Breeding lead, said, “Our Summer Associate program has been instrumental in bridging the gap between education and industry. This year, we’re excited to expand our partnership to a student from the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. We love how this program is providing local students with unique opportunities to explore various divisions within Bayer and gain invaluable experience.”
For more information on the program and how students can get involved, please visit Bayer’s website or contact CTAHR’s internship coordinator directly at ctahrcom@hawaii.edu or (808) 294-3041.
Workforce development is one of the four imperatives included in the UH System Strategic Plan, and programs like this give UH students valuable launching pads into fulfilling careers in Hawaiʻi.