Graduate Alumni Testimonials
Brooke Kessel
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I am the County Executive Director for the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Hettinger, ND. Our office is responsible for the administration of farm programs as written in farm bill legislation. Farm programs are very diverse ranging from price support and commodity loans to conservation and disaster programs. I wanted to pursue further education beyond my Bachelor's Degree to enhance my opportunities for career development. I enjoyed the course work of agribusiness and applied economics as an undergraduate student and therefore chose to continue with my masters in the same area. I enjoyed my graduate experience with the department. The masters program provided a different perspective of higher education. Through the process, I learned discipline and developed an understanding that no all problems have a text book solution. |
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Adam Johnson
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I started working for ConAgra Trade Group (now Gavilon) in 2007 as a Risk Analyst being promoted to Sr. Risk Analyst in 2008. While in the Risk Analyst position our group was responsible for monitoring and managing the market price risk of Gavilon’s commodity trading and merchandising positions. This position was especially important and exciting in the commodity boom and then bears markets of 2007-2008 where managing market price risk was essential. I currently hold the role of Merchandiser for Gavilon International Grain Group. I am responsible for merchandising Milling wheat, durum, corn and feeds into export markets with our international team. We leverage our North Dakota and U.S. grain origination assets to develop export markets. A master’s degree was something I always wanted to achieve in my education and it is a goal I was focused to fulfill. I feel that education is very important in life and being prepared for the business world. I also found my undergraduate education and experience at NDSU very enjoyable, beneficial, and was prepared to further my education. I was also encouraged by my professors to continue and had very solid relationships with NDSU professors developed during my undergraduate time. The master’s degree at NDSU was exactly what I was looking for and needed. It was concise and focused on relevant topics in economics and the current agribusiness environment. My research topic involving biotechnology was especially focused on the future of agribusiness which Dr. Wilson (my adviser) is key to pushing new and innovative ideas. |
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