Ag Jobs A to Z: Communications

Photo credit: Morgan Myers

You may have noticed I got a little sidetracked from the #AgJobsAtoZ series, but I hope you enjoyed reading about Startup Ireland last week. The opportunity to travel came up so quickly, there wasn't a lot of notice here, but thanks for hanging on for the wild ride. Starting today we're back on schedule to cover a variety of careers in the agriculture industry.

Today I'm sharing Sarah Duwe's perspective as a communications expert. She works for Morgan Myers, a strategic communications firm out of Wisconsin. I've met Sarah and several of her colleagues through National Agri-Marketing Association and have seen their work for accounts such as the Illinois Soybean Association, Oscar Mayer and the Midwest Dairy Association. Thanks to Sarah for sharing her time and wisdom.

1. Where did you go to school?
I went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and have a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in broadcast. The first five years of my career I worked as a producer, reporter and anchor for two Wisconsin TV markets before switching to PR and Marketing.

2. What inspired you to go into communications?
I was inspired by telling stories. I always wanted to be a writer growing up and, while today I can’t say I’m the strongest writer, I’m still telling stories in creative, resonating ways for great clients.

3. How long have you been working in communications?
I’ve been working in communications for 8 years and have been with MorganMyers for more than three years now. I started at the associate level but quickly moved up thanks to great clients, helpful colleagues and a strong learning-focused environment.

4. What skills are necessary for a career in communications?
Great communicators are smart, perceptive, good listeners, have fine attention to detail and ask great questions. They also should be able to simplify complex ideas.

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)
MorganMyers is a strategic communications firm that builds, protects and promotes great brands that help feed the world. We have a great client roster, including Illinois Soybean Association, Oscar Mayer, Merck Animal Health, Foremost Farms and more. We have a broad scope of work we do within agriculture. A passion several of us share at MorganMyers is creating dialogue between farmers and consumers to improve understanding of current farming practices and hopefully increase acceptance.

In terms of who helps us … MorganMyers is involved in several industry organizations, including National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) and American Advertising Federation (AAF). I serve on the board of our local NAMA chapter helping to provide valuable professional development and marketing opportunities to local agri-marketers.

6. What career/internship opportunities are there at Morgan Myers?
MorganMyers is always looking for great talent. We offer a summer internship program during which students experience client interaction and a breadth of project work ranging from digital to copywriting.

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
All of our work starts with listening to understand a client’s unique situation and needs. From there, we roll up our sleeves to create the right ideas that tell your stories at the right time, in the right places. MorganMyers is a great place to grow a career in ag and food communications.

Thanks again to Sarah for sharing her advice. Be on the look out for Morgan Myers at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall Career Fair just around the corner on October 20. Thanks for reading!