Agriculture Needs the Next Generation’s Bright Minds

Summer is the season for college interns and recent graduates to find their footing at businesses across the country – and world. Some may even realize that their careers go down paths they never planned – and that’s OK. It’s exactly what happened to me.

When I arrived at Iowa State University as a college student, I was an introvert. I didn’t grow up in Iowa, I didn’t live on a farm and I didn’t have a master plan for the future. Over the next four years, however, I gained confidence as I expanded my horizons and found my life’s calling in agriculture.?

When I joined Pioneer Hi-Bred in 1991, I also had never left the U.S., nor had I ever imagined traveling abroad. The future was still unknown. More than three decades later, I have held a number of roles with increasing leadership responsibilities across our seed and crop protection businesses. Over my career, I gained experience in sales, marketing operations and business leadership – and have traveled to more than 40 countries for work.

So for these young people who are taking the next steps in their journey, their plans are likely to get interrupted and will certainly change as they continue their education or join the workforce. It’s an exciting time.

It’s also exciting for those of us who look forward to the next generation’s fresh perspectives. I believe agriculture is the most vital industry on the planet, which is why I encourage every college student, intern and recent graduate to explore every way that you can help shape the future of the industry. We need the brightest minds in every field.?

I have a few reminders for those who are about to head into new experiences… though I think these also apply to those of us who have a few years under our belts! These tips have kept me engaged and enthusiastic about my career.

Identify your interests and your strengths.?Now is the time to understand how your skills match with what you care about. Identify your strengths and use them to your advantage in your career – and have the self-awareness to see potential areas for growth.

Be open-minded.?You will be presented with many opportunities and ideas in your lifetime. Listen and be willing to explore those you might not have thought about before. And don’t be afraid of change or doing something you hadn’t planned. When I started my career, my colleagues with 20 years of experience would say things weren’t the same. And they were right: We live in a dynamic world, and we need to maintain the agility to handle it.

Surround yourself with great people.?Seek out diverse perspectives, strong relationships with people who will challenge you to keep growing and developing, and people who will support and lift you up when you need help.??

Never stop growing.?We are always unfinished products. To keep pace with our ever-changing world, we must constantly build our skills and knowledge. We should all strive to constantly improve ourselves and expand our horizons. In the same vein ...

Never stop learning.?About people, cultures, different ways of doing business and most importantly – about the importance of agriculture to the success of societies. Strive to learn how we can serve farmers and improve their lives and their communities.

Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things.?Taking calculated risks can help you grow in your career and take on new challenges. I can say today that I was not fully prepared for the responsibility of about half of my jobs but my leaders believed in?me?… and I trusted them. It was strong relationships that helped open the door to opportunities I could have never imagined, and I’ve grown tremendously over my career to be able to take on new challenges head-on!

Maintain a positive attitude.?Our attitude shapes how we approach the world around us. Stay optimistic, persevere through challenges and approach your work with enthusiasm and a passion to deliver your objectives. Learn from the past, but don’t obsess over it. Find a balance with your life outside of work. And stay away from those with a toxic attitude who will drag you down. In my opinion, two of the biggest factors in the success of a person’s career is their attitude and their ability to handle change – because change is inevitable.

While I'm biased toward agriculture, no matter where you decide to build a career, find an organization with a culture that fits you. I am grateful to have found that at Corteva, where the company’s values, beliefs and behaviors align with my own. This has led to a fulfilling career.

And it’s a career that I never could have imagined when I stepped on campus in the 1980s. But agriculture is a great industry to work in no matter your background. You don’t need to come from a farm. You don’t need to have an agronomy degree.

We need the brightest minds in every field to address food security, drive sustainability forward and manage all the challenges that we’re facing in the most important industry in the world.

The young people about to join our workforce couldn’t have anticipated the deep impact the pandemic would have on their lives. It shaped their experiences, ideas and motivations – and those perspectives will be important as they move through their careers.?

We have much to learn from this group of young people.

What are some of your thoughts and recommendations for this next generation?