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Monsanto Representative Speaks to Alpha Zeta
Elizabeth Schilling, Reporter, CAFNER Corner Post

Oct. 1, 2003--Alpha Zeta Club invited Monsanto Company Site Manager, Matt Horstmeier, to speak about the opportunities Monsanto has to offer Mizzou students.

Jaime Steiner, Agribusiness Management, introduced Horstmeier to the audience. Steiner interned with Monsanto this past summer at Stonington, Illinois. She said, "This internship has helped me secure a job offer with Monsanto. Internships are instrumental in exploring and obtaining careers especially in the agricultural industry." Steiner interned with Monsanto from May 2003 through August 2003. She enjoyed the variety of jobs that she was exposed to and the presentation that was required to give in St. Louis at the end of her internship.

Horstmeier explained the typical career path in Monsanto. It begins with an internship with the company. If that is successful, then the intern may be offered a position as a trainee. After the trainee position, it is possible to become a Quality Assurance Supervisor which can then lead to a variety of positions in the company.

Horstmeier will return to campus October 22 to conduct interviews for possible employment and internship opportunities. Dana Brown, of the College of Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources is handling the interview schedule. Horstmeier said he received approximately 30 resumes while on campus, including after the Alpha Zeta meeting.

"Mizzou produces a good diverse group of recruits and is a particularly good source for Ag Students.'' Horstmeier said. According to the informational brochure distributed at the meeting,

"The people of Monsanto are working with farmers to discover new ways to improve agriculture. We strive to create simple, elegant solutions in both crop and animal agriculture to produce more abundant food and a healthy environment. We share ideas that care for our land and help preserve our natural resources. In the future we hope to develop crops that lead to better health."

Monsanto is a global leader in biotechnology and agricultural products. Most farmers and ag students are familiar with their products such a Roundup herbicide and the seed brands DEKALB and Asgrow. Monsanto is also involved in researching ways to use biotechnology and conventional corn breeding techniques to improve bioenergy so that corn fueling cars can reduce the dependence on oil. Biofuels are a renewable source of energy. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, "Ethanol made from corn reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent."

The meeting was attended by Alpha Zeta members as well as non-members. John McQuoid, an ag business major and Alpha Zeta Scribe, said, "I am pleased with the turnout tonight and I believe that we had quality individuals present at the meeting to look at the company."

Chris Rolf, a general agriculture student and member of Alpha Zeta, commented that he "believes that Monsanto is a good company and well respected in the Agricultural Community."

Matt Revelle, a biochemistry major and not a member of Alpha Zeta attended because he was, "interested in internship opportunities and he enjoyed the presentation of the overall view of seed production."

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