Job Description

For well over two decades, Ball Horticultural Company has offered a wide variety of internships to students majoring in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agribusiness, and related fields. Each year, our internship projects are linked to specific business initiatives, which encompass a range of horticulture disciplines including advanced research, breeding and genetics, marketing, business operations, production, and trialing.

All internships require a minimum of Junior-level standing at an accredited, four-year university or college. Historically, Ball interns arrive with significant academic and/or related extracurricular accomplishments, although consideration is also given to those students demonstrating exceptional promise. When applying for these internship projects, students should consider the following:

• All internships are offered during the summer months for a period of 10-12 weeks.
• Start and end dates are relatively flexible, depending upon the student’s availability and the needs of the department; we prefer interns start no later than the day after Memorial Day.
• Unless otherwise noted, internships are located in West Chicago, Illinois, a suburb approximately 35 miles west of Chicago.
• Rate of pay is $15.00 per hour. Students work a minimum of 40 hours/week; some internships require overtime during critical periods.
• We provide fully furnished and appointed apartments in a nearby apartment complex and absorb the rental costs. Food, transportation, and other living costs are the responsibility of the student. Students are required to have their own transportation since housing is not within walking distance from work locations and public transportation is not readily accessible.

A major goal of the program is to expose students to multiple aspects of our business operations; presentations and tours of departments throughout the company are provided during the summer. Similarly, interns are expected to participate in company and industry events including AmericanHort’s Cultivate ’27 in Columbus, OH and Ball Customer Days.

• All internships culminate in mid-August with a final presentation made by each intern on his/her experiences and accomplishments; these presentations are made to members of Ball’s Management Teams.
• The application deadline is November 1st, 2026. Intern selections will be determined by December 11th, 2026. All applicants will be notified of our decisions.

Requirements

Internship Opportunities

Explore hands-on internship opportunities across horticulture, plant science, research, breeding, product development, and technology. Each internship provides practical experience working alongside industry professionals.

Internship Descriptions: Ball Internship Program Opportunities — 2027

General Internship Expectations

Across our internship opportunities, successful candidates should be prepared to:

• Learn quickly and ask questions.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and research teams.
• Stay organized while managing multiple projects.
• Approach challenges with curiosity and a problem-solving mindset.
• Work in a hands-on horticultural, laboratory, greenhouse, field, or office environment depending on the internship.