Upcoming Graduates: Are You Prepared?
By Brooke Tacker, posted 02/10/06

As the second semester continues to fly by, there are a few details that seniors should be sure to put on their checklist for graduation. On Friday, Feb. 3, a meeting was held for all CAFNR seniors planning to graduate in May/August 2006. Some of the main points of this meeting were beginning career searches and the specifics for the graduation convocation.

Graduation for CAFNR will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday May 13, 2006, in the Hearnes Center. The School of Natural Resources graduation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Saturday May 13, 2006, in Jesse Auditorium. Seniors need to be there no later than 3:15 p.m. There will be a reception immediately following the convocation and family is expected to RSVP. Caps and gowns are required and can be obtained at the bookstore during the Grad Fair on March 21-22. Invitations can also be purchased from the bookstore. Diplomas will be mailed about 12-13 weeks after graduation and final transcripts will be available by request from the Registrars Office at 130 Jesse Hall.

Jessica MacArthur, coordinator of student services/records for CAFNR, says the most important detail to have covered is to make sure all paperwork is complete. This includes change of classes, making sure to have minor required paperwork filled out, verifying one’s address and correct name on StarMU.

When asked how she would compare CAFNR to the other schools at MU, MacArthur said, “CAFNR is the number one on campus in retention rate and the number two in graduation rate. Essentially, that means students who come to our college, stay in our college and graduate!”

For more information about graduation go to http://web.missouri.edu/~grads or for answers to any questions, call Jessica MacArthur (AG) at 882-4459 or Laura Hertel (SNR) at 882-1730.

The USDA recently said that more jobs will be available than qualified people in the next few years for agriculture, food, and natural resources graduates. Stephanie Chipman, director of CAFNR Career Services, explained the new CAFNR Connections program that is designed to help students begin networking in the business world. Though the number varies depending on economy and one’s major, typically 30 to 40 percent of CAFNR students graduate with a job already lined up, Chipman said. According to the most recent destination survey, 26 percent of students pursued graduate or professional school immediately following graduation. For students who do not yet have definite plans after graduation or feel prepared enough for professional interviews, CAFNR Career Services is taking appointments for assistance. Call 882-0088 or e-mail Stephanie Chipman at ChipmanS@missouri.edu.

“Develop an idea of what you want. Carefully examine the market. Make sure you have an effective self-marketing strategy. Work on your goal consistently,” Chipman said.

Many seniors are beginning to get ready to leave and enter the workforce. Heather Shauck, a senior agribusiness management major with minors in French and international agriculture, already has a job lined up with Cargill Meat Solutions as a sales account manager. Shauck will be going to Plainview, Texas in June for six months of training and will receive a permanent location after training is complete. Shauck said she chose this job because she was, “Most satisfied with the way everyone treated [her] at Cargill and that's what it really came down to. Their salary and benefits were extremely competitive as well, which didn't hurt.” When asked if she felt prepared she said she was, but that it was going to be bittersweet having to leave her friends and start an exciting new career. Professionally, however, Shauck said she feels completely prepared.

Another question most seniors are considering is whether or not they plan to continue their education in some way. Shauck said she would like to go on and get a MBA, but for someone else to pay for it.

“Cargill offers programs where they cover tuition, so that was a bonus, too,” Shauck said.

Hannah White, another agribusiness management major, is still looking and interviewing for a job. White does not plan to further her schooling unless her future job pays for it. The most important advice White gives to underclassmen is, “Try to take all of your harder classes before your senior year. It’s nice to just take 12 hours your last semester. It gives you a break before you graduate and enter the real world. But don’t just take the easy road, challenge yourself with you class choices.”

Shauck’s advice was to, “Think ahead! Don’t wait until your senior year to start thinking about what you want to do. Go for some internships, if anything a good internship shows you what you don’t want to do. Also, study abroad. I feel like my international experience taught me the most during my time here at Mizzou.”

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