The floral industry is always seeking young, energetic employees. Whether you have a need for a professional in marketing, human resources, logistics, sales or communications, AFE has you covered.  Join the list of floriculture organizations that are accepting business-related internships.

If your organization has internship opportunities or is interested in beginning an internship program for business-related job opportunities, you should be working with AFE!

Why Become a Host Employer?

Host employers for this new business internship are in demand!  The program provides manufacturers, wholesalers/suppliers, importers, retail floral shops and growing operations with rising young business leaders in the floriculture and horticulture industries.

• Download the Employer Resource Guide for easy-to-use guidelines and steps to develop an internship at your organization.
• The Quick Start Guide is a short introduction to the Employer Resource Guide and highlights the necessary steps you need to take in order to create a successful internship experience for everyone.

Internship Areas and Length of Internship

Internships are full-time (35 to 40 hours a week) and for a period of 10 to 12 weeks. The majority of internships will be performed over the summer, but there may also be requests for internships throughout the year.
Student internships can be in any of the following business-related areas:

• Management
• Accounting
• Information Technology
• Sales
• Logistics
• Marketing/Communications
• Graphic Design/Creative
• Human Resources
• Digital Marketing
• Analytics

Hosts employers will be notified in April if there is an intern available for the summer.  If an internship is requested during other times of the year, AFE will contact you to discuss availability.

Host Responsibilities

Host organizations will have the opportunity to talk to the potential intern via phone or in-person (when possible) before making a final decision.  Host employers must:

• Employ the intern (35 to 40 hours per week) at a fair market wage (not less than the hourly minimum wage).  Start and end date and hourly wage will be worked out between host and intern.  Hourly wage will vary based upon geographic area and position.
• Give the intern an overview of the entire company.
• Help the intern locate reasonably priced housing for the training period if required. (Employer is only responsible for providing guidance on locations for safe and affordable housing.)
• Provide for periodic intern/supervisor discussion.
• Complete an intern performance questionnaire at the conclusion of the training.

About the Student Interns

All internship applications are reviewed by AFE’s Education Committee prior to matching them for an internship. Students are evaluated on their application, grades, personal statement and letter of recommendation. Interns are students in business-related majors, who are not required to have floriculture or horticulture backgrounds, but who may become valuable industry assets.

How Do You Become a Host Employer?

If you are interested in becoming a host employer, please complete the hosting form below and return to dchedester@afeendowment.org.

• Hosting Form (Word file)
• Hosting Form (Adobe PDF) * download, save and then send or information will be lost!

About the Program

Established in 2015 by a significant contribution from past AFE Chairman Del Demaree, this business internship was created to attract top talent to the global floral and horticulture industries.  Del served as the AFE Chairman from 1992-1993 and has an unsurpassed commitment to the floral industry.  Chairman of Syndicate Sales, Inc., he has earned the respect of his peers throughout his 60-plus years in the industry and is acclaimed for his enthusiasm and business acumen.  Del was inducted into the Society of American Florists’ Floriculture Hall of Fame in 2015.