CAFNR graduates are prepared to make the leap into the professional world
by Kaity Kerwin, posted May 16, 2008
With graduation now only hours away, many students on the MU campus are nervously awaiting word about job prospects, still wondering where they will go from here.
Most CAFNR grads, however, will be able to sit through the commencement ceremony calm in the knowledge that they already have those jobs lined-up.
The College’s Career Services office works hard to help students find that perfect first job. One company fortunate enough to snag a few CAFNR graduates and current students is Monsanto.
As do many leading ag companies, Monsanto offers students internships and entry-level jobs that are varying and diverse. They say that their internships offer networking, professional development, guidance and compensation.
Krista Bock, junior agricultural economics major, will be working for Monsanto this summer as a seed production intern in Illiopolis, Illinois.
Last summer Bock worked for Pioneer as a product advancement trials intern.
“I chose to work for Monsanto because it’s different from what I did last year,” Bock said. “Plus Monsanto is the only one to offer the seed production internship.”
Bock is interested in working in the seed industry in the future, but is open to other options.
“I wanted to see both sides of agriculture and experience the differences of those sides. I want to compare the strengths and weaknesses of the businesses,” she said.
Tyne Morgan, senior agricultural journalism major, will graduate this Saturday, May 17, and will begin her career with Monsanto shortly after.
Morgan interned with Monsanto last summer as the Public Affairs intern. In June of that summer, they officially offered her the opportunity to continue the job after she graduated from college. Her position will include tasks such as customer outreach, community relations, and trade shows.
“I chose to continue this job because it is a great opportunity to learn about public affairs, especially in agriculture,” said Morgan. “Monsanto is the leader of cutting- edge technology for growers in agriculture, and I really wanted to be a part of that.”
Not only does CAFNR have success with Monsanto, but the students also find success with many other companies.
Stephanie Chipman, director of career services, thinks CAFNR students are so successful in finding jobs for two reasons:
“One would certainly be that the job market continues to be really strong for our graduating students,” Chipman said. “Two would be that students in our college exhibit leadership, gain experience in internships, and do what they should to appeal to employers. We are a target school for many of the large employers.”
