Ag Jobs A to Z: Human Resources

Photo Credit: Samantha Miller

Passion, agvocate, and outgoing are the first words that come to mind when I think of Samantha Miller. We spent many hours together at the Indiana State Fair sharing Why I Farm stories with fair enthusiasts during my Beck's marketing internship. Last summer, each afternoon as I sat at my desk I would hear Sam leading a new group of farmers through the office tour. Now that I'm back in school at Iowa State, I enjoy seeing her at career prep events and keeping in touch on social media.

Since we met, Sam has been very supportive my blog. I'm thrilled to finally have a chance to feature her. Thanks, Sam for sharing your perspective and advice!





1. Where did you go to school?
I have a B.S. in Plant Science-Agronomy from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Purdue University. 

2. What inspired you to pursue a job in human resources?
I love that human resources, through the internship program at Beck's Hybrids allows me to mentor college students and help them find where they fit in our rapidly changing and very diverse industry.

3. How long have you been working in human resources?
I have been in Human Resources for almost one year. 

4. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)
As the Agvocacy Lead at Beck's Hybrids, I have the opportunity to work with our internship program.  This twelve week program allows students to experience the seed industry, and allows our company to get acquainted with some of the top students in our marketing area.  We have internships all across our marketing area and throughout the organization- in everything from marketing to research. 

5. What career/internship opportunities are there in human resources?
The entire agricultural industry is growing and changing at a faster pace than ever in the history of our species.  It requires an engaged Human Resources department to address the issues of finding great talent, and matching them to the perfect position. Unless the candidate is excited about the position, it probably won’t be a good fit.  Over the course of a career, the employee will grow and change, so it is our department that can make sure employees are given the professional development and an evolving position to the benefit of the employee and our company.  There is an oft-cited USDA study released a few years ago details the shortage of graduates in agriculture.  The industry is absolutely going to be hiring over the next few years, but in maybe different areas than traditional ‘ag’ roles.  Data management, precision agriculture, and automation are becoming just as important as agronomy and sales.

6. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
One of the most fulfilling parts of interacting with students is learning what interests them, and then letting them know about various opportunities.  For instance a student who is interested in environmental science might not be aware that there are entire firms dedicated to ecological remediation and establishing wet land offsets. I’ve been lucky to have very diverse experience in the industry so simply putting students in touch with the right company and people can make a big difference.

My standard, general first job advice: Students should spend a considerable amount of effort exploring the culture of a company before agreeing to any position.  Often, a student will pick whichever opportunity offers the biggest number on the initial contract. The value of working for a company you believe in, and where you truly fit, far outweighs the initial 5 or 10 thousand dollar difference in initial salaries.  I’ve known many students who realize six months or two years into a position that the company isn’t exactly what the website described when they googled it in the interview phase. Unfortunately, by the time they make that determination the opportunity at the alternate firm is gone and the employee is back at square one.  Ask lots of questions, have lunch or connect through email with some employees who aren’t on the hiring committee to see how they feel about their jobs, use your network (or you university’s alumni network) to make some contacts before you commit to anything.  Remember, there is no such thing as a ‘right answer’ when you are selecting a job or a graduate school- just ‘different answers’ that can put you in very different places a few years down the road. 

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Wordless Wednesday: Iowa State AgEI Poultry Trip

Whew! This month has been busy! Over the last month, I've been in 10 states and 2 countries! I'm still in the middle of Ag Jobs A to Z so detailed posts about those trips will have to wait. Just to tease you, I'm sharing a few photos from last week's trip south. 

This semester, my Iowa State Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative (AgEI) classmates and I have been researching the poultry market. After several weeks of internet research and phone calls, we hit the road to meet with influencers ourselves. Last Tuesday we headed out bright and early in two Iowa State suburbans on our way to Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. The trip was full of fun and networking opportunities! Here are a few photos of our adventure. Stay tuned for more! 

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

Photo Credit: Carly Cummings, Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative

This trip taught me so much about poultry and my teammates were a blast! I look forward to telling you more after Ag Jobs A to Z wraps up!

Thanks for reading!

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Ag Jobs A to Z: Graphic Designer

Photo credit: Beck's Hybrids

Life changing. That's the best way to describe last summer's internship with Beck's Hybrids. I learned so much about myself, my work habits, and agriculture. At the same time, I worked next to some of the most talented communicators and marketers in the industry. 

Jenna is a graphic designer at Beck's and is part of the team that made my experience so great. Watching her work ethic, creativity and passion taught me about the type of employee I want to be. I'm so thankful she's sharing her career story for today's Ag Jobs A to Z blog!

1. Where did you go to school?
I attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in animal science and an ag economics minor. After a year and a half in the work force, I went back to school at a private art school in Kettering, Ohio, The School of Advertising Art (saa) for a diploma in advertising art. 

2. What inspired you to go into graphic design?
I’ve always been very artsy, and when I was deciding where to go to college, as a high school junior, I was torn between my passion for agriculture and my passion for art. I ultimately chose agriculture because that’s where I felt led, but I stayed involved with art: drawing on my own, taking a few electives here and there. Then I graduated and went into ag sales, but I found myself more drawn toward the marketing materials I was using to help make sales and that were used to advertise to my customers. Also, while working with dairy farmers, I saw a need for positive public relations and the promotion of agriculture in a positive light to people who don’t understand all of our agricultural practices and why we do them. These large producers didn’t have websites or promotional material, or any real way to promote themselves or their business. But, it wasn’t about promotion in the sense of making more money, it was in the vein of improving public understanding and perception. If your neighbors understand why you do something, and what you’re doing on your farm, when that inevitable manure spill happens, hopefully they might be more understanding. Or if they understand why gestation crates for sows are for the safety of the litter, for example. I was drawn to promoting agriculture, and improving the image and understanding of the industry. 

After a year and a half of not being fulfilled in my sales role, I left the company and with no job lined up, wasn’t sure what I was doing. I was looking for jobs and I ran across a communication position for Select Sires, a reproductive management service for dairy and beef producers, but I didn’t have the graphic design skills to fill the role. I happened across a graduation announcement from a local high school youth in my hometown that was attending saa. I instantly felt led to investigate the school. It seemed to provide the training I would need to fill a role like the one at Select Sires. So I submitted my high school art portfolio and college transcript, and was awarded a scholarship for the combination. Saa is focused on real world, tangible skills, and you are on a computer from day one of classes. It is small and the instructors are design professionals actually working in the industry. 

3. How long have you been working in graphic design?
Just over four years. I graduated from saa in 2011 and immediately started working for the international headquarters of the fraternity Beta Theta Pi in Oxford, Ohio. It wasn’t anything I’d envisioned. I’d planned to find a marketing role for an ag company or start consulting and immediately changing the world, but as all things happen for a reason, and typically not like you plan, the opportunity to work for a non-profit in Higher Ed appeared. I spent three years with the fraternity, and learned SO much, but then, like every opportunity I’ve had, an acquaintance from high school worked for Beck’s Hybrids in Atlanta, Indiana. He kept encouraging me to reach out to the marketing director and share my portfolio. Finally, after about three conversations, I followed through, and I was invited in for an interview and was hired. I am approaching one and a half years at Beck’s, and I consider it my dream job, combining ag and art. I work with amazing people who share a passion for agriculture but also wish to positively influence the public, with campaigns showcasing the hearts and souls of farmers and why they do what is often a thankless job, Beck’s “Why I Farm” campaign. 

4. What skills are necessary for a career in graphic design?
Your basic computer skills and some ability to sketch or draw are givens. Being creative is also a good skill to have, and the desire to learn and explore new technologies and methods and styles, as the world of design is always evolving. But one thing I cannot stress enough is the ability to write. You don’t have to be a novelist or grammar maven, but I remember one instructor saying, “You can have a great eye and design a great ad, but so can many other people. If you can write copy or an engaging headline or tagline, that takes you to the next level.” I enjoy writing, so I put that skill to good use on many of my projects. 

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)
I work for a company that has an in-house design team, so my “clients” are my company and any subsidiaries of my company. But they are clients none-the-less and I still have to meet their needs and know my audience. My audience is farmers. And right now, farmers who are 45-65 years in age, but not forgetting that the next generation is quickly taking over that target audience spot. So we need to be adapting how we market and design, like the platforms we use. I will work with other companies if we’re co-branding or working cooperatively with a partner on a project. I have a creative director who I work with, as well as other designers and video production specialists that all come together to complete a total campaign or provide support on a project, like photography needs. 

6. What career/internship opportunities are there in graphic design?
Career types:
Print focus - graphic design, production artist (Agency, in-house, non-profit, freelance)
Web/digital design (Agency, in-house, non-profit, freelance)
Web backend design (coding, html) 
Print production (working at a printer)
Art Director (agency or in-house) – responsible for managing the designers and over seeing that all projects are being completed 
Creative Director (agency or in-house) responsible for overall creative vision for the company or project

While there are specific internships for design (I completed an externship at a small creative agency in Dayton, Ohio) sales and marketing internships shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Being in sales taught me a lot about marketing, but primarily how to read people and understand their wants/needs. That’s taken me very far in my success as a designer and marketer. Classes and tutorials can teach you how to use the tools and design, but sales and marketing taught me how to work with people, read people, and better use my design skills to influence people.

There are a few options out there when it comes to graphic design industry segments:
1. Agency – High level design. This is long hours and intense work with many different clients who are outsourcing projects to a creative agency. Many designers will start as production artists, where they are given the creative concept by their creative director and will produce it to spec. Also, there are account managers where you will work with the client to understand, meet and convey their project needs, and help keep the project on schedule. You will have the opportunity to work with many different industries and clients and the scope of projects is large, but the hours can be long, and you are expected to work until it’s done, and your work better be great. The rewards you’ll reap, though, are also great. 
2. In-house – The idea of in-house teams is growing and expanding. I work for an in-house team, where a company hires all the components of an agency, from a creative director, to graphic designers and video specialists to copywriters. They eliminate the need to outsource projects to creative agencies, because company paid employees can do all the work. In-house has gotten the wrap of not being as talented or up to par with agencies, but this isn’t true. The quality of work can be just as high as agency, and I personally feel, better, because employees have a personal investment in the company, not just “Another project from another client from a company I don’t know anything about.” At Beck’s, we have many “clients.” From the main brand to departments and entities that fall under the Beck’s umbrella, I feel like I can constantly be challenged with new and different projects. 
3. Freelance – for the designer who wants to control their hours and when they work, whom they work for, how much they make and what they work on, freelance is great. You’ll also likely work from your home or a rented office space, probably won’t have co-workers unless you partner up with someone, and you’ll be responsible for obtaining work, which unless you have a built up list of regular clients and steady work, could be stressful as sometimes there might be dry periods when you don’t have work. 
4. Non-profit – In many cases, a designer working for a non-profit is dealing with a reduced budget, and are forced to be a jack of all trades, because the non-profit cannot afford to outsource work or hire an entire team, so the designer may be writing, designing and handling the printing/execution of the project, as well as the social media. But this allows for greater creativity too! Working within confines of a limiting budget forces you to go outside the box and find alternative solutions that have big bang for the buck. The budget may be smaller, and the restrictions greater, but the reward of having an impact on your audience and helping a non-profit are great. Again, a large budget and fancy tools don’t define a great designer. 
5. Print Production – this is strictly print design - another option would be to work for a printer or in prepress for a printer. You’d be responsible for making sure a project or job were set up correctly to be printed, and then operating the presses/tools, executing the finishing of the projects and communicating with the project lead or designer. 

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
Knowing Photoshop and InDesign and having the latest software will not make you a great designer. They are tools to help elevate your work, but they do not make you a designer. 90% of being a successful marketer and designer is knowing your target audience and smart design. Just because something looks great doesn’t mean it will resonate with your audience. I can’t stress enough that every piece you design is meant to influence and affect the viewer on an emotional level. And being able to convey that and understand that will help make you a successful designer.

RESEARCH. Know whom you are marketing to, know who will be reading your ad. You have the ability with words, type, color and imagery to influence a demographic. This all comes from observing your surroundings, other people and how they look at things and take things in, and relying on more than just design skills. Being well rounded as a designer will make you so much more appealing to perspective employers. Don’t dismiss your creative writing class or your gen ed biology, you never know when having that knowledge will come in handy. Learn to read people, learn to observe your surroundings, and most importantly, learn to learn. That skill will take you farther than any class you take.  

Huge thanks to Jenna for her answers and advice. I'm glad she could be a part of Ag Jobs A to Z! It's so great how art and agriculture came together in her career journey. 

Thanks for reading!

Ag Jobs A to Z: FFA Advisor

Photo credit: A-P FFA

When I was a senior in high school, there was a student teacher from Iowa State in our agriculture class. That year, he was a big part of our classroom and FFA chapter. He helped teach our classes, attended FFA conferences and even had us out to his parents' house for a delicious dinner one night. Our student teacher was Mr. Carlton Ness. Today, he's an Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Aplington-Parkersburg High School.

I really enjoyed having Mr. Ness as a teacher for a short time in high school and I know his students at Aplington-Parkersburg are lucky. I appreciate the time he took to share his perspective as an FFA Advisor on for today's Ag Jobs A to Z blog post!

1. Where did you go to school? 
I graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Education and a minor in Agronomy.

2. What inspired you to pursue a job as an FFA Advisor? 
Growing up on a farm in Jewell, Iowa, I always knew agriculture was going to be the career field for me. I think what influenced me the most to choose the career I did was my experience with my High School Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor. He had such an impact on me. In fact I had to teach a lesson to my Animal Science class in High School and when I was done he asked me if I have ever considered a career in Ag Education. At the time I thought he was kidding, but 5 years later I was starting my career at an Ag Educator/FFA Advisor.

Photo Credit: A-P FFA

3. How long have you been working as an FFA Advisor? 
I am now in my 4th year of teaching at Aplington-Parkersburg High School.

4. What skills are necessary for a career as an FFA Advisor? 

I think to be a successful Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor you need a number of different skills. You need to be a good communicator, as you work with students, other teachers, administrators, community supporters and business professionals. One of the most overlooked skills is that you need to be a good salesman. Because your classes are electives, you have to pitch your program and the experiences you have to offer to young people. Finally you have to be passionate about agriculture! It is hard to get people excited about what you are doing if you are not excited as well!

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?) 
I get to work directly with students and my purpose is to hopefully guide them to careers in agriculture. I teach classes in Animal Science, Agronomy, Plant Science, Welding, Ag Mechanics, Ag Business, and Ag Issues. My goal is to inspire them to find one of these topics and become passionate about them like I am.

The people that help me most are ag business professionals and agricultural members of our community. The best thing you can do in this profession is surround yourself with experts and people that value what you are doing. I have had the opportunity to develop relationships with great people in multiple segments of the ag economy including agronomy and seed sales, animal science professionals, manufacturing professionals, and farmers. Their support has been unbelievable!

Photo Credit: A-P FFA

6. What career/internship opportunities are there as an FFA Advisor? 
In terms of internships, Iowa State Universities College of Ag and Life Sciences has field base experiences for students interested in Ag Education. The final “internship” would be your student teaching experience.

As far as career opportunities the possibilities are endless! A degree in Ag Education can take you so many places. If teaching interests you, a job will be waiting for you as soon as you graduate. Statewide we are currently facing a shortage in Ag Teachers. We need more people that care about he future of agriculture, to inspire young people about the industry that is the backbone of our Iowa Economy.

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
I choose this career because I like variety. Everyday I do something different, and I can even say every hour I do something different. Growing up I had such good experiences with all different facets of agriculture, whether it was animal science, agronomy, ag mechanics, crop production or FFA. I found a profession where I could experience it all on a daily basis. I get to travel all of the time (gearing up for our trip to Louisville next week), work on farms, go to livestock shows, interact with the community, and develop great relationships with other ag teachers in my profession. But the best part is helping young people find their passion in agriculture and watching them grow and meet their goals.

Thanks Mr. Ness for his encouragement and advice! With such a passionate teacher and advisor, I know his students will do well. I hope our paths cross again at Iowa FFA Convention. Thanks for reading!

Ag Jobs A to Z: Extension

Photo credit: Iowa State University

I know I've shared my love for social media before, but today I'm especially reminded of that as I introduce you to Dana Schweitzer. This summer I "met" Dana through #AgChat, a weekly Twitter discussion surrounding agricultural topics. Every Tuesday I saw her online, she had great comments and it was so fun to read another Iowan's perspective. At the time, I was in Indiana with Beck's Hybrids, so we didn't meet in person until I returned to campus in the fall.

Once school was back in session, we met at The Hub to chat and enjoy coffee. In a matter of minutes we discovered her husband was from my hometown, we both have an interest in travel and share a love for communications. That afternoon we shared our ag stories and personal goals. Today, I'm excited to have Dana share her story with you!

1. Where did you go to school?

My undergraduate and master’s degrees are from Iowa State.

2. What inspired you to pursue a job in Extension?

My experience in 4-H, especially State 4-H Council, introduced me to the wide variety of career opportunities in ISU Extension and Outreach. As a student intern, I worked with Iowa 4-H during the sesquicentennial Iowa State Fair in 2004. I also completed a communications internship at ISU in 2006 that introduced me to many of the faculty and staff in the largest branch of ISU Extension and Outreach, Ag & Natural Resources.

3. How long have you been working in Extension?

In my current role @ISU_Farm_Energy, I’ve been working with colleagues in Extension and Outreach to address agricultural energy efficiency for more than five years. 

4. What skills are necessary for a career in Extension?

I think those who thrive in Extension and Outreach have a desire to help people find information and resources to help them with decision-making. If you are a self-starter with an ability to clearly communicate with clients (via phone, email, face-to-face, etc.), there is a career for you with ISU Extension and Outreach. Like any large organization, the university and the statewide county offices provide a foundation, but your connections with colleagues and clients will influence your work and help you to identify and develop your strengths. 

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?) 

As energy prices have fluctuated during the past several years, the ISU Farm Energy team has worked with the Iowa Energy Center, the ISU Ag & Biosystems Engineering department, and statewide utility service providers to update information and resources for agricultural producers who want to improve the energy efficiency of their crop or livestock enterprises. Our work includes case studies, field research, and tips for managing and conserving diesel, gasoline, electricity, and propane all around the farm.

6. What career/internship opportunities are there with Extension?

Many career opportunities are connected to STEM fields. For example, on the ISU campus, many departments hire undergraduate students during the academic year and some opportunities may lead to part-time or full-time summer internships. There are also state-led internship programs affiliated with specific departments or colleges at ISU, such as the Heddleson Summer Internship with Human Sciences Extension and Outreach or the Rising Star Internship Program. Some of the counties across Iowa also offer summer internships with 4-H or related youth programs.

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?

Working in a full-time career with Extension and Outreach may require hours outside the normal working week, but with that there are also great opportunities to travel for conferences, presentations, or professional training. Being a lifelong learner is important in any career, but I think it is especially valuable in Extension and Outreach as we connect with people to help them find answers to the questions that impact their businesses, communities, and families.

I'm so glad Dana and I connected on Twitter and look forward to seeing where our goals take us. Thanks to Dana for sharing her story!

Ag Jobs A to Z: Economist

Photo Credit: Iowa State University

As an Agricultural Business major, I've been lucky to meet several economists in my four years at Iowa State. I remember the first time I met T.J. Rakitan as he talked me through my Econ 101 homework in the Econ Help Room. These days I run into T.J. at department events and schedule planning meetings. He always has a good long boarding story or comment that makes me laugh when our paths cross in Heady Hall.

T.J. is a PhD Econ student, but also helps underclassmen as an adviser and is a great subject resource. Thanks for sharing his experiences and advice, T.J.!

1. Where did you go to school?
I did my undergraduate work in Economics and Foreign Languages/International Affairs at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA.  I also earned an M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis, and I am completing my PhD studies in Economics at Iowa State.

2. What inspired you to pursue a job in Ag Economics?
I began my academic career studying environmental and resource economics, and many of the research questions that interest me have broad application and relevance to agriculture.  
For example, I’m interested in how the energy industry interacts with agriculture when wind turbines or oil wells are constructed on farms.  Also, I’m interested in the public policies aimed at preventing environmental degradation and role played by agriculture in helping preserve environmental value while helping feed the world.  

3. How long have you been working in Ag Economics?
Since 2008, when I began my M.S. studies at UC Davis.  

4. What skills are necessary for a career in Ag Economics?
To borrow from the late, great John Maynard Keynes, “the master-economist must possess a rare combination of gifts […] he must be mathematician, historian, statesman, philosopher—in some degree.”  

An economist must be comfortable considering the logic of abstract concepts while applying them to the “real world,” and agriculture is about as real as it gets!  It’s often handy to have a background emphasizing mathematical skill, but the goal of applied economics is the considered understanding of how people make decisions and how this determines societal well-being.  Both analytical and communication skills are necessary—the challenge of the agricultural economist is to translate informed observation and scientific study of incentives into recommendations for policy and practice.  

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?) 
Agricultural economists compile, analyze and interpret data to help ag practitioners and policymakers make better decisions.  In my own experience, I work with public officials, state data collectors and industry participants to analyze policies such as the placement of wind energy installations.  Additionally, many economists work as educators, teaching classes at universities to help students understand how resources are allocated and how individual behaviors add up to market-level effects.

My research is aimed helping evaluate the costs, benefits and effectiveness of policies and regulations, which contributes to the information available to the general public.  Other economists, however, work more directly with agricultural groups to analyze the markets for Iowa ag production and consult on the economic value of ag inputs.  For example, some ISU Econ Dept. faculty work with the ISU Extension, working with farmers, cooperatives and agribusiness firms to disseminate information about market-level trends in prices, quantities and expected returns on investment.  The ISU Econ Department also publishes the Ag Decision Maker tool to help farmers make informed decisions about how to allocate resources within their farms.  

6. What career/internship opportunities are there with Ag Economics?
Career-wise, most economists seek jobs in private industry (commodities trading firms, ag consulting firms) or in the public sector (U.S. Department of Ag, colleges and universities, extension services).  At the undergraduate level, the typical economist may begin his or her career as an analyst who specializes in a single commodity or group of businesses, while Masters and PhD graduates are often employed in broader research capacities.  
The skills emphasized by training in economics are often quite general—that is, the economist must have a basic understanding of how optimal decisions are arrived at, and must then tailor this understanding to help explain the happenings in a specific industry.  Internships tend to focus on precisely this: students will know how to analyze things, but may not yet know the ins and outs of their industry of choice.  

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
I should emphasize that subject knowledge is important!  Economics provides an excellent set of tools for analyzing the decisions by which scarce resources are allocated, but knowing something about which resources are actually being allocated makes a huge difference.  It’s no accident that many ag economists have roots in rural agrarian communities.  Those of us that didn’t start with this background (like me) have had to learn it along the way! 

Thanks again to T.J. for sharing his perspective as an economist. Thanks for reading!

Ag Jobs A to Z: District Field Manager

Janelle Kracht (top) and 
Carrie Dodds
Photo Credit: Iowa Corn

D is for District Field Manager! I'm excited to introduce you to not one, but two of the fantastic District Field Managers at Iowa Corn. I had the privilege of working with these ladies at pump promotions and the Iowa Corn Indy 300 during my market development internship two summers ago. I still run in to them from time to time and Carrie works closely with the ISU Corn Growers I'm involved with on campus.

Janelle and Carrie have a similar role, but serve in different regions of the state of Iowa. They each bring a unique perspective to the organization and are wonderful ambassadors for Iowa agriculture. 

1. Where did you go to school?

Janelle: I graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Turf Management.

Carrie: I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor or Science in Animal Science and Ag Business and a minor in Marketing.

2. What inspired you to be a District Field Manager?

Janelle: I knew that I wanted a career that would present the opportunity to make a difference in the world every day.  It was very important to me to end a work day knowing that what I did was helping someone and bettering our society and industry. 

A friend from college, who had worked for Iowa Corn, reached out and encouraged me to apply for the DFM position.  The rest is history.

Carrie: My love for working with farmers is what lead me to pursue this position.  I feel it is imperative for farmers and the agricultural industry to tell their story. 

3. How long have you been working as a District Field Manager?

Janelle: I will be celebrating my 8th Anniversary as a District Field Manager with Iowa Corn in November, 2015.

Carrie: 3 years.

4. What skills are necessary for a career as a District Field Manager?

Janelle: I believe a successful District Field Manager is passionate about the industry, organized, is a good communicator, has a strong work ethic, is a good listener, is driven and is not afraid to have constructive conversation.  

Carrie: You must be a motivated self-starter and flexible.  No day is ever the same and your schedule can change with the weather, literally.  If it is raining and one of your county groups can meet sometimes you have to shuffle something around to get a meeting in.  I feel you need to be comfortable working with people of all ages and demographics.  One day you could be meeting with a group of farmers or doing elevator visits and the next day you could be presenting for a group of 100 Second graders. 

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)

Janelle: I primarily work with corn farmers who are active within their local county corn grower board.  We are engaged within the community educating consumers about the Ag industry, i.e.; where their food comes from, the benefits of ethanol, biotechnology, sustainability, conservation, water quality, etc.  We understand the need to work with the youth in agriculture and educate them about the importance of getting involved.  Local county boards also recognize the importance of being engaged in the political aspect of industry. 

Carrie: As a DFM you are tasked to tell the story or help others tell the story of Iowa Corn and the agricultural industry every day. We help farmers tell their story and work with audiences to understand the importance of where their food comes from and the vast uses of corn in their everyday lives. 

6. What career/internship opportunities are there with Iowa Corn?

Janelle & Carrie: We have a marketing internship for the summer and we are looking to hire a social media manager full time. Here are the descriptions for each:

2016 Summer Marketing Intern: Iowa Corn is seeking a smart, organized, energetic person to assist with activities in our current Marketing & Communications department. This internship offers an excellent opportunity for a talented student committed to help implementing programs that increase demand for corn and creating profitably for Iowa’s corn farmers. The Marketing Intern will work closely with Iowa Corn’s Marketing & Communications team to provide support for state and local programs.

Social Media Manager: This position is responsible for the management of an effective and efficient communications program for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association.  It initiates and manages communications projects, specific to website management and social media platforms, with other internal departments in the areas of research, marketing, public policy and grower services, ensuring that the organizations’ image is consistently and appropriately communicated in the various target segments. 

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?

Janelle: It’s important to be involved and engaged in the Ag industry.  There are so many different outlets that will allow you to become involved and many organizations that you can belong to to help keep you engaged with what is happening within the industry.  These organizations are working for you and working for the best interest of the farmer. Organizations strive to find students, farmers and agribusiness’ to be engaged in their respective organizations.  Your input is vital to success of an organization like the Iowa Corn Growers Association. 

I can't thank Janelle and Carrie enough for sharing their experiences and advice today. I certainly look up to them as exemplary women in agriculture. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you see them at the Iowa Corn Career Fair booth next Tuesday! Thanks for reading!