From May through August 2026, 25 students from universities across the U.S. joined Ergon’s 2026 Corporate Internship Program at our Corporate Headquarters in Flowood, Mississippi. While we have long offered internship opportunities, this summer’s agenda expanded participants’ experiences by immersing them in multiple departments and teams through shared learning activities, professional development and service projects.
This hands-on approach connects classroom knowledge with real-world applications to give students a broader perspective of Ergon and help them better understand how individual roles contribute to our organization’s overall success.
“Our internship program is designed to foster professional growth and career explorations,” shared Ashley Smith, Corporate Recruitment Supervisor. “This gives interns the opportunity to absorb information from industry professionals, engage with the communities where we work and live and experience our family-oriented culture firsthand.”
In addition to formal learning sessions like Refinery and Base Oils, Asphalt 101, Lean 101 and Operations Finance, interns took a deep dive into our operations through visits to several facilities. From exploring our state-of-the-art laboratory at Paragon Technical Services Inc. to touring our refinery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and seeing maritime transportation in action at Magnolia Marine Transport Company they gained a firsthand understanding of the people, processes and operations that drive our organization forward. Interns also got to experience Ergon’s family atmosphere and people-first culture.
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Building Connections and Giving Back
While professional development was a key part of the program, the relationships interns built were what made the summer memorable. Through team-building activities and everyday interactions, students established bonds with one another, mentors and employees across the Ergon family, creating friendships and networking that extended beyond their assigned departments.
“The group also had the opportunity to give back to the community by participating in a Day of Service benefiting the Mississippi Methodist Children’s Home, connecting their experience to our Core Value of Empowered Service,” Ashley added. Our culture is measured not only by what we do as an organization, but also by how we invest in people and communities.
WATCH: Thank you, students! Click HERE to see the recap of our 2026 Corporate Internship Program!
Showcasing Growth Through Capstone Projects
The summer concluded with each intern presenting a capstone projects to our Ergon employees, including Board members and members of the founding family. From operational improvements and cybersecurity initiatives to process enhancements and business insights, the projects highlighted the assignments and research students accomplished over four months.
More than a final project, the capstones served as a reflection of our family-first culture. Through mentorship and knowledge sharing, interns presented their work with greater confidence, stronger problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of how their contributions can make an impact. The 2026 Internship Program ended with each participant receiving a certificate of completion and a celebratory luncheon.
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Youth Impact Across the Globe
Our Corporate Headquarters was not the only Ergon location welcoming eager minds this summer. Through a partnership with Global Academic Ventures (GAV), Ergon Asia hosted their first interns in May 2026. Rhyan Plumlee, Vice President of Ergon Asia, said they have had five interns representing supply chain, finance and chemical engineering fields, with two additional students scheduled to begin internships in October.
“Our interns truly become part of the team,” said Rhyan. “They jump into meaningful projects, work alongside employees across different functions and gain a full, hands-on understanding of our international business. Interns bring new curiosity and different perspectives to our work, while giving our Asia team the opportunity to reach, mentor and the help them grow.”
Ergon Asia plans to continue partnering with local universities to create more opportunities for students across our facilities in Singapore and Indonesia.
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For Ergon, our internship and Co-Op programs strengthen our future talent pipeline, introduces fresh perspectives and allows employees across the organization to invest in the next generation. Most importantly, it gives students an opportunity to experience Ergon’s global family identity, live out our mission and embrace our Core Values grounded in Respectful Relationships, Empowered Service, Selfless Leadership and Purposeful Growth.
