About Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA)

Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a grassroots, non-profit membership organization with a 140-year history of advocating on behalf of Montana cattle ranchers to ensure cattle ranching remains relevant, safe, and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

MSGA is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers, and advocate of cattle ranching for state and federal legislators and a true partner in efforts to preserve & advance Montana’s cattle industry.

The membership of MSGA consists of cattle ranchers, led by cattle ranchers, who honor the past & embrace the future. Our members cover the state of Montana and include ranchers of all ages, operations large and small, feedlot operators, affiliate businesses, private property owners, and supporters and friends of Montana ranchers whose livelihood and identity are tied to the Montana cattle industry.

Find more info at www.mtbeef.org 

Eligibility

• Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA.  
• Applicants should be an undergraduate college student at a sophomore or junior level at the time of application submission.
• An agricultural, communications, or marketing degree program or background is preferred but not required. 
• Applicants should possess excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic. 
• Applicants should be US residents. 
• Applicants must be available to work in the MSGA Helena office during the designation internship duration.

Start & End Date

The internship duration will be from May – August, 2024. Start and end dates can be flexible based on the candidate’s school schedule. The Montana Stockgrowers Association office will be closed for summer break from July 1 – 5, 2024.

Lodging/Travel

Interns must provide their own lodging during the internship. A minimal amount of travel will be required to and from MSGA and MSF events. Travel during those times will be covered by MSGA.

Compensation

 $15/hour

How to Apply

Find the online application at www.mtbeef.org/careers

Application Deadline

Applicants will be accepted from February 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024. The selected applicants will be notified by April 12, 2024.

Marketing & Communications Intern

Responsible for assisting the Director of Marketing & Communications with all formal association communications including public relations, external communications, member communications, and event management. This position will act as an assistant editor of all association publications and written materials. Monitors and reports on the beef industry and ranching issues in the traditional and trade media and online and helps develop and disseminate issue information to association stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Be available to assist with media requests and assist with scheduling interviews with local news, radio, or print outlets.
• Assist in the planning of the following events: MidYear Meeting, Annual Convention & Trade Show, and the TBone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament. 
• Provide event support to MSGA staff during the MidYear Meeting..
• Produce outreach content through social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc. 
• Capture photos at events and on other assignments to be published digitally and in print campaigns. 
• Solicit listings and advertisements for MSGA’s Annual Seedstock & Commercial Cattle Directory. 
• Coordinate MSGA’s weekly e-update
• Acts as an assistant editor of the MSGA monthly newsletter – The Stockgrower Update: solicits, writes and gathers articles; and designs ads and graphics as necessary. 
• Writes, edits and distributes press releases, audio/visual clips and issue response information including letters-to-the-editor, media talking points, FAQs, reports, etc. 
• Monitors media regarding beef industry issues: tracks and reports on key industry issues in the traditional media and appearing online, keeps a record of MSGA media mentions to gauge the effectiveness of media/public relations efforts. 
• Design association social media posts, event graphics, and brochures as needed.
• Update MSGA’s website utilizing WordPress.
• Digitize historical documents and organize them in MSGA’s file management system. 
• Other tasks as assigned.

Reports To: MSGA Director of Marketing & Communications and the Executive Vice President.

Successful candidates should have strong organizational skills, communications skills, and the ability to meet deadlines. Experience and knowledge in event management & planning, public relations writing, photography, and social media is desired. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, WordPress, and HTML  is a plus. 

About Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA)

Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a grassroots, non-profit membership organization with a 135-year history of advocating on behalf of Montana cattle ranchers to ensure cattle ranching remains relevant, safe, and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

MSGA is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers, and advocate of cattle ranching for state and federal legislators and a true partner in efforts to preserve & advance Montana’s cattle industry.

The membership of MSGA consists of cattle ranchers, led by cattle ranchers, who honor the past & embrace the future. Our members cover the state of Montana and include ranchers of all ages, operations large and small, feedlot operators, affiliate businesses, private property owners, and supporters and friends of Montana ranchers whose livelihood and identity are tied to the Montana cattle industry.

Find more info at www.mtbeef.org 

About MSGA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show

MSGA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show is one of two meetings held each year that brings MSGA membership together to set association policy and provide member education. Hosted in Billings, Montana, MSGA’s Annual Convention boasts the state’s largest ranching industry trade show, stockgrowers colleges, policy meetings, guest speakers, and some of the best networking opportunities around!

Dates: December 2024

Location: Northern & DoubleTree Hotels, Billings, Montana

Annual Convention Internship Program Description

The MSGA Annual Convention Internship Program was created to provide students with a hands-on experience of the various facets of association event planning and execution, policy development, social media engagement and coverage.

Eligibility

• Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA.  
• Applicants should be an undergraduate college student at a sophomore, junior or senior level at the time of application submission.
• An agricultural, public policy, or event management degree program or background is preferred but not required. 
• Applicants should possess excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic. 
• Applicants should be US residents. 
• Applicants must be available to work the entire length of the Montana Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Start & End Date

Come back this summer for more detailed information!

Compensation/Travel

Interns will receive lodging during the duration of the internship. All meals will be provided. Additionally, a stipend of $500 will be provided to assist with travel and other miscellaneous expenses. Roommates may be assigned.

How to Apply

Find the online application at www.mtbeef.org/careers

Application Deadline

Applicants will be accepted from July 1, 2024 through September 15, 2024. Selected applicants will be notified by October 1, 2024.

Intern Positions

Policy Intern

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist policy staff with the facilitation of policy meetings
• Work with policy committee members on on-site meeting needs
• Prepare policy documents for second and third readings of policy during business meetings.
• Attend Stockgrowers Colleges and prepare summaries for the content discussed for the MSGA newsletter.
• Other tasks as assigned to ensure all event activities are executed. These tasks may or may not be directly policy related.

Reports To: MSGA Government Affairs Specialist

Communications & Media Relations Intern

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create content during the event for social media and website channels (Facebook, Instagram, & other accounts).
• Write event press releases daily.
• Featured Events and Activities of the Day. 
• Photograph and take video of the event.
• Be available to assist with media requests and assist with scheduling interviews with local news, radio, or print outlets.
• Other tasks as assigned to ensure all event activities are executed. These tasks may or may not be directly media related.

Reports To: MSGA Director of Marketing & Communications

General Production Intern

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide event support to MSGA staff. 
• Serve as a point of contact at the convention registration area.
• Assist with the logistical preparation of the event.
• Assist with coordination and execution of the event, breakout sessions, and special guest needs.
• Assist with the trade show in setup and vendors/sponsor relations. 
• Other tasks as assigned to ensure all event activities are executed. 

Reports To: MSGA Director of Marketing & Communications