Growing up in St. James Parish, Kayla Ferchaud knew of Mosaic as a major employer in her community. Still, she never considered that she might one day work for the company. 

Ferchaud is entering her junior year at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she is majoring in biological engineering. She completed a co-op with Mosaic in April. 

“I’m on the bioprocess track,” Ferchaud said. “It’s focused on taking living organisms or organic matter to create a product. It’s like the chemical process, but instead of inorganic material, it’s living material.” 

This type of engineering can be applied to numerous fields, including biofuels or medicine. The variety of paths attracted Ferchaud to the major, and eventually led her to her role with Mosaic as a Student Engineer Co-Op focused on environmental engineering. 

“I live less than 10 minutes away from Faustina and across the river from Uncle Sam,” Ferchaud said.  “I was at a point in my studies where I wasn’t sure what industry I wanted to use my degree in. I thought it would be nice to explore the role of an environmental engineer.” 

As a co-op, Ferchaud aided in daily housekeeping inspections at Louisiana’s facilities by performing safety checks and cleanliness inspections. She also conducted daily sampling of chemical oxygen demand, or COD, in ponds and ditches around the plants. 
“When less oxygen is in the water, your biological matter cannot sustain life,” she said. “Most of what we sample is done as a preventative action.” 

Ferchaud also conducted research along the way. She wanted to study the relationship between the outside temperature and how it affected the results of the COD test, thinking that warmer temperatures may cause higher COD levels. Through multiple tests and studies, she determined that temperature was not a dominant factor in COD levels. 

Ferchaud especially enjoyed the housekeeping inspections, which allowed her to see other areas of Mosaic sites she may not have been able to visit otherwise. 

“To go into these places was a whole new world,” she said. “I was able to see one of the trains where the product comes in and see the product being moved. I also saw the docks where boats would come in along the river.” 

Product was constantly moving at the facility, Ferchaud realized. And the infrastructure only added to her experience. 

“There are gigantic barrels (of dry product) at these sites,” she said. “Every time I see something bigger than a human that’s manmade, my mind is blown.” 

While she was nervous about embarking on an environmental engineering co-op, Ferchaud is grateful for the experience and looks forward to continuing her education and beyond. 

“My biggest takeaway is not to judge a book by its cover,” she said. “When I first started my co-op, I wasn’t sure environmental engineering was something I really wanted to pursue. I thought the industrial industry wasn’t for me. But after I started seeing the things that go on inside the plant and talking to different people who work here, my viewpoint changed. If I ever have the opportunity to do it again, I would take it.” 

Ferchaud is grateful for all those who helped her along the way, including her mentor, Mosaic Environmental Technician Devin Durgin. 
“During the course of her co-op, Kayla became a tremendous help in our day-to-day environmental duties at Faustina,” Durgin said. “Her willingness to learn, engage and relentless drive to exceed expectations was greatly noticed and appreciated by all.” 

Co-ops and internship opportunities are offered year-round at Mosaic and provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in the field. Co-ops are available to students in qualifying post-secondary, college or university programs. Ferchaud hopes other students, especially those local to the area, will also take an interest in working close to home. 

“This co-op was really special,” Ferchaud said. “By having this position, I feel I was able to show people in this area, especially high school students, that there’s a world of opportunity right under their nose.”  

To learn more about co-op opportunities, visit the Careers tab at mosaicinlouisiana.com.