Hull Students, Alumni Applaud John Deere Experience

John Deere is in the business of producing tractors, but it also produces career opportunities for Hull College students.

John Deere representatives spent an hour with Hull students on Wed., Mar. 9, for a virtual Business Connection, introducing the company’s history and culture, while detailing its part-time and internship opportunities.

Headquartered in Illinois, Deere & Co. opened its first Augusta-area location in 1991 and then a second facility nearby in 2001. There, workers make compact utility vehicles and smaller tractors in the Horizon South Industrial Park in Grovetown. Deere employs more than 69,000 people, located in more than 70 countries.

Keiwana Pettis, Operations Accounting Site Lead – Augusta, was the first accounting summer intern from the Hull College for John Deere, completing that experience in Des Moines, IA. Pettis said that her senior year summer project, a profitability analysis for new products, gave her practical experience.

“The internship is a great way to get integrated with the company’s corporate culture. I got an opportunity to learn about Deere, the business, as well as form relationships with other interns who are now my peers. To see how we’ve all been able to advance in our careers has been nice,” she said.

Greg Van Bladel, Operations Group Controller for R4 Small Ag & Turf, said the company has an opportunity for part-time students, geared for their sophomore year, to work at Deere facilities. These part-time positions often lead to internships or a full-time job.

Anesha Wright is currently one of those part-time student employees. She is pursuing her BBA in Accounting at Hull and is on track to graduate in December 2022.

For more than a year as a student accountant for Deere in Grovetown, she has been responsible for weekly financial and inventory reports. Additionally, she has used the experience to secure an internship, as well, which will begin in May at Deere’s headquarters in Moline, IL.

“With [the opportunities offered by John Deere], you have the opportunity to learn everything hands on and apply the skills and knowledge from your classes,” she said.

The Business Connection Series was born from innovation during the pandemic’s lock down, when the college’s Business Showcase Series had to be presented virtually. When the Showcase series returned to in-person events, the College added virtual business interactions as the Connection Series, which has advantages such as inviting guests who do not have to commute to Augusta and not limiting the number of student attendees due to room capacity.