Student Spotlight: Wandsnider Discovers Interest in Ag Trade at WITA

Meet Kate Wandsnider, a rising senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Global Studies. Kate was this year’s recipient of the Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award, which sends students to spend the summer interning at the Washington International Trade Association (WITA). Stay tuned for more information on the Husker Trade Talk Kate will host in the fall! Read more about Kate’s experience with WITA below.

Q&A with Kate Wandsnider

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am a born and raised Nebraskan from Lincoln. I have always been interested in learning about and experiencing other cultures, so I chose to major in Global Studies, a highly interdisciplinary field that allows you to create a unique professional track. Later, I added two minors: Arabic Studies and Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. Last summer, I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan, where I worked on my Arabic language skills. This experience solidified my interest in working abroad in the future. I became interested in international trade when I learned about its role in global development. My internship this summer has shown me the many opportunities available through the trade community, and I am eager to explore those options.

Congratulations on being the fourth recipient of the Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award! What does receiving this prestigious award mean to you personally and professionally?

This award has been life-changing for me. I am grateful to the Yeutter Institute for creating opportunities such as the Nelson/Yeutter International Trade Internship Award for UNL students. Washington, D.C. is no easy feat, but the support from the Yeutter Institute gave me the confidence to make the most of my time there. Professionally, I felt motivated to make as many connections as possible during my time in D.C. and to develop my future career opportunities.

Were there specific goals or outcomes you hoped to achieve during your internship?

I didn’t have a very comprehensive background in international trade, but I was eager to learn. I wanted to absorb as much about trade as I could during the 13 weeks I was there. Additionally, I wanted to identify which aspect of trade interested me the most. I discovered that agricultural trade intrigued me the most because of the direct correlation between agricultural trade policy and community development, especially in developing economies. I now have the opportunity to explore this interest further as I collaborate with the Yeutter Institute to organize a Husker Trade Talk.

How did you develop an interest in foreign affairs and international trade? And has your internship with WITA changed your trajectory for your plans after college?

My mom is an anthropologist and has been traveling the world all her life. Hearing about her experiences abroad initially piqued my interest in foreign affairs. I also have many international friends who resettled in Lincoln after being displaced. Ultimately, I decided to pursue a career focused on global development. While working at WITA, I learned about international trade’s role in development and developed an interest in the agricultural sector. Many opportunities in Agri-trade allow you to work in the field and connect with local farmers. I am now exploring regional representative positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other opportunities to work abroad. Working with WITA has reaffirmed my desire to work abroad, and I now have a better understanding of which organizations employ field workers. Overall, I feel much more confident in my ability to utilize career resources and tap into my networks to determine my next steps after graduation.

Finally, what advice would you offer to other UNL students interested in pursuing opportunities in international trade and agriculture through programs like the Yeutter Institute?

I can’t stress enough how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. I almost didn’t apply for this internship because I felt underqualified due to my lack of background in international trade. After this summer, I can truthfully say that this internship has been the most influential experience in my academic and professional journey. International trade touches many different sectors and can be applied to a wide range of interests. The trade community is a tight-knit and accessible network, and everyone I met who works in trade has been incredibly kind and helpful.