CAFNR Connections Mentor

CAFNR Connections

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Publications

Dec. 2007: Vol. 2, No. 3
June 2007: Vol. 2, No. 2
April 2007: Vol. 2, No. 1
Dec. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 4
Aug. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 3
June 2006: Vol. 1, No. 2
Feb. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 1

Kent Haden

Dr. Kent Haden started from small beginnings. Born and raised about 20 miles east of Columbia in the tiny town of Hatton, Mo., Haden found his way to the University of Missouri by following the footsteps of his siblings. Upon his arrival, however, Haden set out to forge his own path.

Haden graduated from MU in 1973 with degrees in animal science and agricultural economics, and spent his last undergraduate year taking honors classes in veterinary medicine.

He was accepted to the MU veterinary school later that same year and became a doctor of veterinary medicine four years later. Haden is now vice president of livestock operations at MFA, Inc. where he works to help cattle ranchers meet the demands of cattle buyers by advising them on matters concerning proper nutrition, processing and attaining certification.

During his tenure as an undergraduate, Haden was a member and officer of the agricultural fraternities Alpha Gamma Sigma and Alpha Zeta. He was also a member of the Agriculture Student Council. Haden says that, although coursework is certainly important, the social opportunities that college provides you with are equally so.

"I can't tell you how many people I met as an undergrad that I still run into in my professional life," Haden says. "The importance of networking can't be overemphasized."

Haden tells students to begin looking for internships as early as their freshmen and sophomore years. Companies are always on the lookout for new talent even when they aren't hiring, so Haden advises students to always put their best foot forward when they are out and about looking for jobs or internships or merely browsing at career fairs. Haden says that those students prove themselves to be industrious and pleasant to work with will find that doors will open for them wherever they go.

"It doesn't even matter if you don't get (the internship), just introduce yourself and get to know people and let them get to know who and what you are," Haden says. "I follow the progress of people I have met."

Lacey Griesbaum says that, although Haden is a busy man, he is never too busy to lend a helping hand.

"I was an intern at MFA from March to July of 2005," Griesbaum says. "Dr. Haden was extremely easy to work for and always encouraged me to do my best. He never made me feel like 'the intern,' but rather a part of the company."

Haden has several pieces of advice for today's students.

"You have got to establish what your objective is and go for it," Haden says. "Networking and interpersonal relationship skills are very important, but you also need to learn how to learn so that you can keep abreast of the latest technologies."