Alexea Neisen

Major: Agribusiness Management
Hometown: Liberty, Illinois

How did you choose your major?

Growing up on a family farm, I always knew that I wanted to be involved in some aspect of agriculture. I wasn’t sure what area appealed to me the most but knew I loved math and the thought of managing a company someday. Agribusiness Management seemed to fit all of the areas I was interested in and I came to find out that there were so many opportunities and jobs available in this field. I later added on a minor in Plant Science and International Agriculture to broaden my knowledge on what I was already learning in Agribusiness Management.

What CAFNR opportunities have you taken advantage of?

To start off, there are so many opportunities in CAFNR it is almost impossible to take advantage of all of them. As an incoming freshman I attended Fall Round-Up, which introduced me to the many clubs and organizations that CAFNR had to offer. I joined the Ag Econ club, Collegiate Farm Bureau and later became a CAFNR Ambassador for the College during the second semester of my freshman year. I have since then held the office of Assistant Treasurer for Collegiate Farm Bureau and became a Tri-director for the CAFNR Ambassador team. I have attended other programs, such as CAFNR Week and the Dickinson Scholars Program that is only open for Mizzou CAFNR students. I have taken advantage of many, many services that CAFNR Career Services has to offer also. Some of those services include mock interviews, Resume 911 and the CAFNR Career Fair in the fall where I have obtained internships since the summer of my freshman year.

What is your favorite CAFNR memory so far?

My favorite CAFNR memory was when I was told I had made the CAFNR Ambassador team. There was a lot of competition and we went through two rounds of interviews with the existing team to pick its new members. I was so excited that I was going to be given the chance to tell incoming students and parents about how great of a school CAFNR really is, and the many opportunities that it holds for them. CAFNR is something I am very passionate about, and I want to share what it has to offer with everyone I can.

What has been your favorite CAFNR class and why?

I would have to say my introductory Animal Science course, 1065. We got a chance to visit most of CAFNR’s Research Centers around the area including the horse farm, swine farm, beef cattle, and dairy farm. We had hands-on experience with all of the animals and it made for fun days outside of the classroom.

What is your advice to potential CAFNR students?

The best advice I can give to prospective students is to take advantage of everything you can within CAFNR. The faculty and staff are here to help you succeed, but you have to want to do it yourself. Attend everything that Career Services has to offer because it pays off with huge rewards in the future. Also meet as many people as you can because networking is huge in college and later in life.

CAFNR is unique because…

I feel CAFNR is unique because it has everything you could ever need in one school. We have top notch faculty and staff that advise you in the right direction, numerous clubs and organizations to build on your existing skills, and we bring the jobs and internships to you instead of you having to go look for them. We give away over $1 million in scholarships and have some of the top research facilities in the country.

How will CAFNR give you an edge in the work force?

CAFNR has already given me an edge in the work force and I haven’t even finished yet. I feel I owe CAFNR the recognition of helping me obtain both of my internships. As I said before, we offer everything that a student needs to be successful in the work force and so much more. When I graduate from CAFNR I will have interview skills, dining etiquette skills, a great looking resume, communication skills, and the ability to lead all because CAFNR gives me that edge to obtain these things. CAFNR is a great place where I feel I am obtaining the best education possible!

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