Just a quick note to those who might be following along…
I finally figured out this evening (with some good guidance from Chuck Zimmerman) how to post a bunch of the pictures from the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day on AgWired’s Flickr photo site.
You can see the pictures by clicking here.
I’m going to go back and insert this link in the other posts, but I just wanted to let you know!
A common theme that the Missouri Colleges Fund student scholars heard during the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day was that many people start down one career path toward a destination but end up somewhere they never expected. Folks like Vanessa Stewart and Judy Lamb talked to the students about how their lives started out in one job and winded and turned until they ended up where they are today. Vanessa starting in the lab and ending up currently working on the business sales end of the company… Judy once working for a major brewery and now in charge of Novus’ product registration. These twists and turns and how you have to be ready for what life deals you has not been lost on the bright scholars touring the facilities at Novus, Pfizer and Monsanto.
While we were waiting to get into the Pfizer and Monsanto portion of the tour, I struck up a conversation with Ben Shea, a freshman studying biology at Fontbonne University in St. Louis.
He said he was really interested in how so many people at Novus started out in one career but ended up in another.
“I didn’t realize that a person could go from a chemistry degree to working in the business field.” He said he was really impressed with how diverse the people at Novus seem to be. Shea might be young, but he understands that versatility is key to making yourself valuable to an employer.
He added that he is very appreciative to have an opportunity to see firsthand and meet people who are working in a career field he might one day find himself in.
Listen to my entire conversation with Ben here: BenShea1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set.
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Lots of people would like to try all types of new and innovative things at work, but not everyone is lucky enough to work at a place that encourages true, outside-the-box thinking. But, as the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars found out during their Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day, that kind of behavior is heartily encouraged.
Joedd Biggs is a junior majoring in bio-chemistry at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri (in the Kansas City area). He was interested to see what the industrial chem research lab at Novus looked like… a lot like the ones he studies in. He thinks the tour will give him a better understanding of how these research labs work in the real world.
But the big thing that struck him was how the company was so caring about its employees and how much free rein those employees got in doing their jobs.
“It seems like there’s an ability to do whatever the heck you want to! If you want to do it, you can… which is good!” He says he finds that free-thinking atmosphere encouraging. Biggs says he also admires the value Novus puts on hard work and teamwork.
While Biggs liked Novus, as a bio-chemistry major looking at a possible career in the medical field, he was really looking forwad to our next stop after I talked to him: Pfizer.
You can hear my whole conversation with Joedd here: JoeddBiggs1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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We’ve heard a lot from the good folks at Novus International as they have been trying to help the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars get a better grasp on the wide variety of jobs available once they graduate from their science and agricultural degree programs. But what about the students? What do they think about what they’re hearing?
Well, they’ve been a tough bunch to keep up with, as they’ve gotten a whirlwind tour of the Novus, Pfizer and Monsanto facilities in the St. Louis area. In between tours of the labs, lunches with the scientists, and discussions about the future of agri-business, I was able to catch some of them and get their impressions about what they’ve seen.
Lindsey Williams, a senior majoring in chemistry with a minor in biology at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., admitted she didn’t know that much about Novus before she went on the tour. But she says she’s learned a lot.
“I think this is a great opportunity… not just for seniors… but also for juniors and sophomores who still aren’t sure what they want to go in to, to see what kind of opportunities are out there for them.”
Williams echoes the sentiment we heard from many of the day’s speakers: you really have to have a passion for your job, especially in the agriculture and science fields. Plus, she is glad to see that there are many different directions someone interested in science can go.
“I was actually surprised at how many different areas you can go into under just one particular company.”
Listen to my entire conversation with Lindsey here: LindsayWilliams1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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I have to admit, you’d be pretty hard-pressed to find a more optimistic bunch than the folks at Novus International. It’s no wonder they gladly took on this project of taking some of the state’s best and brightest science and agricultural college students around their operations in the St. Louis area, plus setting up tours at nearby Pfizer and Monsanto.
One of the people I think epitomizes that optimism is Nasser Odetallah.
“There is nothing impossible in life. Whatever you thought of as a child can evolve and develop into a real idea, a real life situation.”
If anyone would know about big dreams during humble beginnings, it would be Odetallah. Growing up as a Palestinian in the country of Jordan, there was always livestock around his family… chickens, maybe some goats… to keep them fed. Now, he is Novus’ product manager for enzymes and probiotics, imparting some of his wisdom upon the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars, who have toured the Novus facilities, along with Pfizer and Monsanto operations, to see firsthand what careers in agri-business will be available when they finish their studies.
Odetallah encourages the students to stay optimistic in what seems like shaky economic times.
“I hope they walk away with their heads high and very optimistic and hopeful about life. Forget what we hear about the economy. You can always succeed! Nothing is impossible and everything is achievable.”
If you’d like to get a bit more motivation for yourself, listen to my entire interview with Nasser here: Odetallah1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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Motivation starts from within… while the students who toured the Novus International facilities in suburban St. Louis might have already known that (they are Missouri Colleges Fund scholars, after all), it sure doesn’t hurt to reinforce that point.
Judy Lamb, Novus’ Product Registration Manager, emphasized that motivational drive during her talk with the students. I caught up with her just after she spoke with the students. She hopes they walk away with the knowledge that what they learn in school is just a springboard for the future.
“Once you get into industry, you’ll find your own niche based on the background and skill sets you learned while in college,” she said. Lamb says you need to be that real self-starter. “If you don’t promote yourself, no one else really will. It’s got to come from within.”
The students listening are very concerned about the current economic conditions. Lamb points out that she started out during a downturn in the economy, and patience and persistance, along with a strong work ethic and a willingness to be diversified, are keys to weathering these tough economic times.
Sounds like pretty good advice no matter what the career your looking at.
More of my conversation with Judy is available here: JudyLamb1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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Students on the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day are getting a great opportunity to see for themselves just how exciting and diverse a career in agriculture and science can be.
During their tour of the Novus facilities in suburban St. Louis, the students heard from many different workers at the agri-business. And some of those workers have worn many different hats during their time at Novus. One such person is Vanessa Stewart, a pet sales specialist who started out on the scientific research end of the company. She’s a great example of what we’ve been hearing during the tour: be flexible and ready to do whatever the next challenge gives you.
“Science is fun and can lead to great opportunities… not necessarily where you think in the beginning.” Stewart said she worked in the lab for six years, gaining a good foundation of knowledge of the products the company offers. She says that foundation has helped her move up into a sales role… one which she would have never imagined when she first started.
“You just need to be adaptable and versatile. And when there’s opportunities, you jump and move forward. That’s what life in general is about for me.”
She stresses that while you can start with a science degree, you never know where life will lead you.
“Whatever you end up doing, get a hold of it and love what you do!”
You can hear more about what Vanessa thinks about taking a long, but interesting, path to career goals here: VanessaStewart1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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Define your role in your job… don’t let your role define you. That’s one of the messages the students participating in the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day heard as they began their tour of the company’s facilities, plus visiting Pfizer and Monsanto in St. Louis.
Sheena Arink, an analytical chemist with Novus, showed the students, along with some of their professors and mentors, the workings of her area at the agri-business. Making their way through the chemical research area, she pointed out the various labs where important work is done every day. Later, she handed off the group to another researcher at Novus… this time on the biological side of the house so the students could get an overview of the wide variety of research being done.
I caught up with Sheena after the tour, and she told me that people need to explore all the possibilities for their careers.
“Do as many interships as possible, [so you know what's out there].” She also emphasized that role-taking is important. “Does your role define you? I tried to get out there that you define your role. If you want to move up or move around or try different things, you need to voice your opinion and let them know you don’t want to be stuck in one area.”
She adds that she did not come from an agricultural background… a city girl who now realizes that there’s more to agriculture than farming or feeding animals.
“I think that being in the lab and seeing people talk that they’ll see there’s different aspects to the whole agricultural world.”
Listen to my entire conversation with Sheena here: sheenaarink1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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After a quick breakfast and introduction to Novus International, the college students from the Novus Undergraduate Networking Day were off to see the chemical and biological labs at Novus’ St. Louis location.
Dr. Joyce Cacho, Chief Sustainability Officer for Novus, told me they’ve put together a program to show the students the application of what they are studying in their classrooms and labs.
“It’s very easy to believe when your in school that’s it’s just about the exams, as opposed to how to apply what I’m learning. However, we’d like to pique their interests in careers they have not thought of and how to apply what they’re learning at the university.”
She adds she’d like to see the students apply what they’re learning to the sustainability aspects of the job. Cacho points out that the Novus building is applying for platinum status in the LEED program… Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
Cacho says she’s impressed with their ideas and enthusiasm for their studies.
“They’re very hungry to see what they can do with it.” She says that when she asks many of the students what they want to do when they grow up, they very innocently say they don’t know. Cacho says that’s all right, because a tour like this can help fill in some of the blanks for the students as they progress and eventually get into the job market.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity going both ways [for Novus and the students]. We want to be hands-on and involved with our scholarship recipients lives.”
You can hear all of my conversation with Dr. Cacho here: DrCacho1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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One of the reasons the students on the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day were able to take this great tour of the St. Louis facilities at Novus, Pfizer and Monsanto was because of the scholarships they received from the Missouri Colleges Fund, a not-for-profit group of 16 small, private Missouri colleges and universities that work together to acquire resources to help educate students in member private liberal-arts colleges and universities. And the Missouri Colleges Fund was able to help pay for these bright students’ educations because of the generous donations of Novus, Pfizer and Monsanto.
During the welcome breakfast, President of the Missouri Colleges Fund, Mike Backer, thanked Novus’ VP of Research and Development, Chris Knight, for the company’s continued support of the fund and the students. To show his appreciation, Backer presented Knight with a folder of biographies of each of the students who received money from Novus. As you can see in the picture, Knight was very happy and surprised to receive the folder.
The evening before the event, I talked to Backer, and he told me that Novus is giving these students a unique opportunity to see these operations for themselves.
“Novus is giving more than just money. They’re providing an additional learning experience.”
Backer added that it’s not just the education of the students. The public in general needs to know how important it is to fund the sciences in our institutes of higher learning.
“Anytime we can get the word out there for the colleges fund, for independent schools, and to help promote education, it’s a good thing… good for Novus, good for the colleges, good for our economy.”
I know I posted this before, but just in case you missed it, listen to my entire conversation with Mike here: MikeBacker1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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Some fortunate college students majoring in science and agricultural degrees have toured some of the leaders in agri-business in St. Louis.
About a dozen recipients of Missouri Colleges Fund scholarships, funded by Novus International, Pfizer and Monsanto, have gotten the chance to see firsthand how these three companies work… and if they would be the kind of companies they would like to work for in the future. To start of this Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day, the students, along with some professors, parents and mentors, were treated to breakfast before their busy day of activities were to begin.
While everyone was able to get fueled up with some tasty pastries and delicious, nutritious fruit and cereal, Vice President of Research & Development for Novus International, Chris Knight, told the group how his company is a one-stop shop for those looking at an agricultural or science career. And he stressed the point that you don’t have to come from a traditional production agriculture background to be a good fit for a company like Novus.
I caught up with Chris, and he told me that they are looking for innovators and people who have a passion for their work.
“The degree is just the start. But it’s a lifelong experience, especially in the area of science where science and technology constantly changes. You have to have a passion for learning and a passion for seeing your science in action and the impact you can have on a local company and the world in general.”
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You can hear all of my conversation with Chris here: ChrisKnight1.mp3
I’ll have more in just a bit!
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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The opening general session keynote speaker at the NAMA convention was Scott McKain, pictured here in front of the flames of ???? (you supply the description). The flames actually made for a very cool stage background and conversation topic throughout the event.
Scott is Vice Chairman, Obsidian Enterprises, author of What Customers REALLY Want and a new book: The Collapse of Distinction. I spoke to him just prior to his session and he says that the most important thing today for any business, including agribusiness, is to “distinguish yourself from the competition.” His talk focused on ways to do this.
For one thing, he says, social media provides a good opportunity to do it. He says you “have to do social media in today’s world. The only other option is failure.” He says we need to be in the lead on social media. He also says that creativity is vital and just pick one point or way you can stand out from your competitors and focus on it.
You can listen to my interview with Scott here: nama-09-mckain.mp3
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This morning we had a truly awesome session on social media at the NAMA convention. Here’s me and the panel. Yes, we’re shooting video with a Flip, taking a photo with an iPhone, tweeting via iPhone and pounding on a Mac. I like this picture. Some may ask, “What’s wrong with this picture?” I say nothing. We’re just socializing, interacting and engaging. Included in photo are me on the right and panelists: David Coustan, Vice President, Digital, Edelman Digital, Kyle Flaherty, Director of Marketing and Social Media, BreakingPoint Systems, David Brazeal, General Manager, Learfield Data.
There are more photos from the session in the photo album which is being update as I type. During the session we showed a live feed of all #NAMA tweets via Twitter and there were a bunch. Thanks to everyone who participated. I’m not sure if I have the right number but I think there were at least 165 Twitter posts during the hour of our session this morning using the #NAMA hashtag! Pretty awesome. I’m going to go back through them and do some responding later. We had over 100 people in the session and it’s very possible we had that many more “watching” and participating online. It was a great live example of the impact and how you can use these new tools, especially when promoted ahead of time. I’ve been promoting it along with our panelists and others that I’ve noticed in the online discussion.
Thank you to Brownfield for providing our internet access and to Dave Patterson, John Deere Credit, and the whole planning committee and other session sponsors for helping put this together. I hope we get to do it again.
Cindy and I are taking some “down” time with local family and will be off the grid in rural Georgia for a couple days but we’ve got lots more NAMA to post so don’t think you’ve seen all of the NAMA action here on AgWired yet. Until then . . .
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In just a few hours, I’ll be loading up in a bus that will take a group of college students majoring in the science and agricultural fields, some with their parents and college mentors, to tour three of the most influential agri-businesses in the St. Louis, MO. area: Novus International, Monsanto and Pfizer.
Novus is sponsoring the Undergraduate Networking Day to give these recipients of the Missouri Colleges Fund scholarships a firsthand look at how these businesses actually work. In addition, the students will learn just how diverse of an employment field agri-business can be.
One of those who will be touring around the three companies’ facilities will be Carol Waeckerle, a junior majoring in biology at Missouri Baptist University. She is excited to see all of the different fields these companies offer… so she can know where she wants to work when her schooling is done. Waeckerle says it’s not surprising that a city girl like her would be interested in an agricultural job, especially considering the wide variety of employment available.
“St. Louis has these three large companies involved in agriculture, so that’s kind of one of the areas where biological jobs are present.”
Waeckerle seems to recognize just how important good science will be, as we try to get more food and fuel out of less and less farmland everyday. She admits it is daunting but believes science is up to the task.
“We need to learn to use those areas efficiently, so that we can [keep doing] what we’re here doing… [feeding and feuling the world].”
You can hear my entire conversation with Carol here: CarolWaeckerle1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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Some of the best and brightest undergrad students in science and agriculture have gathered in St. Louis, Mo. for the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day… a day when the students, their parents and educational sponsors will get to see firsthand how some of the best agri-businesses in the country operate. They’ll tour Novus’ St. Louis facilities, as well as see the operations at Monsanto and Pfizer.
The students are here, in part, because of the scholarships provided by these companies to the Missouri Colleges Fund, Inc… a not-for-profit group of 16 small, private Missouri colleges and universities that work together to acquire resources to help educate students in member private liberal-arts colleges and universities.
During tonight’s welcome reception with Novus officials and students, I had the chance to sit down with Mike Backer, President of the Missouri Colleges Fund. He told me his job is to go out and raise money from generous companies, such as Novus, so students can get the monetary help they need in their educational pursuits. But he says Novus is giving more than just money… it’s giving an educational experience.
“Tomorrow will be an opportunity for these students to see the real world… get out of the classroom, come see a laboratory, come ee how a corporation that deals in the area and what really happens.”
Backer agrees with the evaluation from Novus’ Scott Carter who believes that not only is this good for the companies involved, it’s good for agriculture and science in general.
“In Missouri, we’re really lacking in science education. So anything we can do to bring awareness to the need for more science education is a good thing… good for Novus, good for the colleges, and good for our economy.”
Backer adds that we are not just a “Wall Street” society. We’re all… urban and rural… really dependent on agriculture… whether we realize it or not.
You can hear my entire conversation with Mike here: MikeBacker1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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The NAMA convention is in the home stretch and to unwind a little bit Brownfield came through once again with an awesome party at the Hard Rock Cafe.
We were entertained by The Party Nation and they were a blast. As usual it was a tight packed crowd of us “old timers” and newcomers to NAMA. But old or new we all share a common passion for the business of agricultural marketing. That doesn’t mean we can’t let our hair down a little though does it?
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There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.
Aldo Leopold, American ecologist, forester and environmentalist
Hello, from St. Louis, Mo., where tomorrow I’ll be following around some the best and brightest Missouri students in the fields of agriculture and science during the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day. All of the students participating are scholarship winners from the Missouri Colleges Fund (more on that later).
Not only will these students get the chance to tour the agri-business facilities at Novus, they’ll also get to see firsthand some of the workings of a couple of other major players in the agri-business community, Monsanto and Pfizer.
The quote above could easily apply to what Scott Carter, the Market Manager for Novus’s poultry division said to those at tonight’s opening reception before tomorrow’s tour: Less than 5 percent of people know where their food comes from. Scott advised the group of students, parents and sponsors (including several college professors) not to underestimate the reach agriculture has in today’s world and stay open to the variety of opportunities that agri-business holds… even if you don’t come from a purely farming background or education. He says ag needs new ideas on how to solve the world’s challenges of feeding and fueling the ever-growing masses, and those from outside of traditional agriculture can bring in those new ideas.
During the mingling, professors, students and parents got the chance to buttonhole some of the Novus officials and ask “what kind and level of degree is needed in today’s agri-business environment?” The answer is “depends.” It depends on what the student wants to do. It depends on where the student wants to go. But, it also depends on how curious that student really is. What’s really needed is a passion for agriculture.
It should be a fascinating day. I’ll try to update you as I can! In the meantime, take a listen to my conversation with Novus’ Scott Carter and his company’s involvement with the Missouri Colleges Fund and the Undergraduate Networking Day: ScottCarter1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
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The NAMA Connection Point trade show is over for 2009 and ZimmComm had a great time.
We’ve really enjoyed visiting with so many of our friends and clients who took the time to stop by for some hot tweets and to learn a little more about this phenomenon called Twitter.
The winners of our drawing are:
HP Mini Netbook: Zach Tassell, McCormick
Desktop Cube Speaker for iPod: Amy Wieberg, FCS Financial
Right now we’re getting ready to go rock at NAMA with Brownfield. There’s lots more to come from this year’s Agri-Marketing Conference so don’t go away.
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Celebrating in wild abandon at this evening’s student NAMA awards is Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products. He “de-throned” two time Hard Ass award winner, Mike Gustafson.
I’m not exactly sure how this award is determined. You’ll have to ask the judges. I’m just thinking that I’m glad that trophy will be hanging on Paul’s wall! This award is given to a student competition judge who is very “hard” on the competitors.
Make sure you congratulate him when you see him.
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In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
