Career fair opens doors

Megan Perry, Corner Post staff

Oct. 10, 2002 - The Mizzou National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) sponsored a career fair on Oct. 10 for College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students seeking internships and job opportunities.

Approximately 200 students from a variety of agriculture majors attended the fair, which featured 30 companies and organizations.

Prior to the fair, students had mixed expectations due to the suffering economy. Because the job market is tight, many students realize networking is a key to securing a job or internship.

Lucy Zakharova, ag econ graduate student, said she's been looking for a job for a year and was a little disappointed in her search for a biotechnology research position.

Jessy Bradley, ag education major, said she felt there were good opportunities. Like many of her peers, she plans to fill out applications online and wait for the companies to call.

Professionals at the career fair said they hoped to help students out as much as possible.

Mizzou alumnus Joe Witworth, who represented Monsanto, said he believes students who make connections with companies at career fairs have much higher chances of receiving the positions for which they apply. Although he has not attended career fairs in other states, he said he is a firm believer that MU's is much better than the rest.

Traditional agriculture companies were not the only presenters. The Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Peace Corps also had displays.

Lori Rodgers, agribusiness management major and student advisor for NAMA, said she was pleased with the event.

Students interested in learning about job opportunities should contact Dana Brown.

Story originally posted 10/16/02

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