James E., B.S. in Business Administration (2008)

I love the job I have with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as an Associate Workers Comp Premium Auditor. My work is completely independent and I work from home. Every day on the job is different and every audit I do is unique. The best part is, I make more money than I ever dreamed of making right out of college, even in the current economy.

My course work in management, finance, and accounting prepared me for this position, but I also have to share another memorable experience: the Agricultural Channels course and the study tours that both Dean Patterson and Professor White offer students. This gave me the opportunity to see every type of business first hand. It’s also a great way to find a career after graduation. If I didn’t take the tour of the Liberty Mutual Call Center in Phoenix with Professor White, I wouldn’t be telling you how great of a company Liberty Mutual is to work for.

Finding this job is because of the study tours and the Morrison School's dedication to students.

Matthew P., B.S. in Real Estate (2008)

I am a Senior Pre-Foreclosure Asset Manager with National Short Sale Center. My job is very demanding and has long hours, but it is well worth it. In less than 6 months, I have worked my way from a set-up position to the number-one performer in my field.

Without my degree in Real Estate, I would not be where I am today, and certainly would not be nearly as good at my job. Dr. Jay Butler's teachings were particularly helpful in preparing me for this position.

My most memorable experience at ASU was the friendships I developed with people in the same field as myself. With such a tight knit community as ASU Polytechnic, it is almost impossible to not have the same classes with the same people. These friendships have become very important and I know I can call many of my former classmates for anything, and they know they can call me.

Mohamed K., B.S. in Agribusiness (2006)

Until my junior year, I was not sure in which area I wanted to work after graduation. But after working on several Agribusiness case studies in Dr. Seperich’s class, I was fascinated by two food and beverage industry leaders: Budweiser and Frito Lay. Shortly after that, Frito Lay and many other industry leaders were recruiting at the ASU Career Fair.

As a result of networking through the career fair, I am a Traffic Network Manager for Frito Lay, PepsiCo., a position I began shortly after graduation in July of 2006. My course work in Supply Chain, Finance, and several Agribusiness classes helped prepare me for this position. Drs. Manfredo, Patterson, and Seperich were particularly helpful in these areas.

My most memorable experience at ASU was the one-on-one attention I was able to get with some of my professors when I needed it. Also, I had the chance to work with other students in groups on real marketing cases. One in particular was Fairy Tale Brownies; my group helped them identify some sales opportunities for certain products with different genders.

Micah W., B.S. in Agribusiness (2005)

I am serving as a Business Educator/Advisor for the United State Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga. I currently educate and advise Tongan farmers and small business owners by teaching them basic business skills, helping them grow their businesses and expand their marketing opportunities. The skills I learned as an undergraduate at ASU prepared me for this great opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture, while helping people learn basic business skills.

Morrison School provided me with several opportunities to travel both around the nation and abroad. I was able to participate in and travel to events like the Food Marketing Institute Conference in Chicago, as well as student exchange programs in Saskatoon, Canada, and Thessaloniki, Greece. Through these experiences I was able to gain the confidence and experience that is required to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I also developed many meaningful professional and personal relationships with both students and faculty within the Morrison School, many of which I still consider important and rely on today.

Trevor F., M.S. in Agribusiness (2004)

I am a dairy buyer and risk manager for Kraft Foods Inc. The years I spent studying at ASU in the Morrison School required hard work, but helped advance my career. The course work and research study of the graduate program was challenging, but is also rewarding. I continue to use the skills and knowledge I gained at the Morrison School in my career today.

What sets the Morrison School apart from other graduate programs in Agribusiness is that the faculty and staff are willing to customize the coursework and program to your specific career interests. Dr. Mark Manfredo and Dr. Tim Richards, as my advisors, were particularly helpful during my graduate studies.

My most memorable experience at ASU was interacting with the faculty, staff, and students of the Morrison School in both a personal and professional level.

Leatta M., B.S. in Agribusiness (2003)

I am a Principal Fiscal Analyst for the Arizona State Legislature. I enjoy researching and analyzing budget issues in order to help legislators make informed decisions about the state economy. My course work in Economics with Dr. Patterson helped prepare me for this position.

My most memorable experience at ASU was building lifelong relationships with my classmates and professors. Since the Polytechnic campus offers a more intimate learning environment, I was able to establish relationships with my peers as well as my professors, which enabled me to feel comfortable and welcome both inside and outside of the classroom.

Scott S., M.S. in Agribusiness (2001)

My work as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, specializing in Agribusiness with National Bank of Arizona, is both challenging and satisfying as I have the opportunity to work closely with business owners across a wide range of industries achieve their financial goals. My course work in finance, economics, as well as my thesis work helped prepare me for this position.

My most memorable experience at ASU was the interaction with the professors in the program. The entire staff at the Morrison School was always very approachable and eager to help as needed. The professors take a very personal interest in helping you grow throughout your experience at the school. Out of my graduate work I am happy to say I have even made lifelong friends with some of my professors.

Matthew P., B.S. in Agribusiness (2001)

As a Logistics Officer in one of the most dynamic fighting forces in our military, I face new challenges every day. The Morrison School taught me to think objectively when solving problems, which greatly benefits me in my everyday duties as an officer in the Marines.

Dr. Mark Manfredo and Dr. George Seperich were helpful in not only my educational development but also my personal and future career development while I was a student at the Morrison School. My course work in Finance, Supply Chain Management, as well as myriad other subjects, greatly assist me in what I do today.

My most memorable experience at ASU was participating in the Agribusiness Marketing Team during my senior year at the Morrison School. It was hard work and countless hours were dedicated to the research and growth of what would be our final marketing plan. Not only was this a great experience but it helped me develop my analytical and presentation skills which I rely on daily as a staff officer.

Allison P., B.S. in Agribusiness (2000)

I am an Assistant Vice President with American AgCredit, the Farm Credit Association serving California and Nevada. I love being able to go to work and have every day be a little bit different. My days can range from conducting crop or livestock inspections on the customers’ farms and ranches, to preparing loan analyses, to planning and participating in marketing and sales events.

The faculty and staff at the Morrison School were supportive in my efforts to explore the International Agribusiness concentration and graduate from ASU’s Honors College. With that support from the Morrison School, I was able to attend a summer seminar at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, England, and spend my junior year studying abroad in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

I look back at my university experience and feel happy that I chose to study at ASU and the Morrison School. I am convinced that there would be no way to duplicate the quality of education and the support of the tight-knit Polytechnic campus, or to have such an individualized course of study at any other university.

Monica K., B.S. in Agribusiness (2000)

The years I spent studying at ASU in the Morrison School required hard work, but did provide a great foundation for my career. I am an Account Manager at Shamrock Foods Company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been at Shamrock Foods for six years and have enjoyed every minute!

My course work in Commodities and Food Processing helped prepare me for this position. Dr. Mark Manfredo was particularly helpful in this area.

I feel that at ASU, people really cared about my success. All my professors went out of their way to help me. My college experience was wonderful. I was able to mix fun and school together. During my professional career I have worked with many alumni. ASU has been there for me as a student and as a career professional.

Oliver F., M.S. in Agribusiness (1999)

Working as an Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New, Delhi, India, is exciting and rewarding. Along with organizing trade shows and participating in market access negotiations, I am also able to work on USDA food aid programs.

My course work in agricultural trade and marketing helped prepare me for this position, and Drs. Patterson and Richards were particularly helpful. I am especially grateful for their interest and assistance in helping transition to a career. I feel that the professors at the Morrison School are interested in seeing their students succeed and are prepared to compete in the workforce.

While the course work at ASU was important in providing me a base of knowledge in areas that would become useful in my career, perhaps my challenging thesis work was what prepared me best for my career. Drafting and defending my thesis was stressful and required extra effort, but I was able to develop work and study habits that have remained with me.

Daphne E., M.S. in Agribusiness (1997)

Many of the skills that I apply in my role as the Forecast Analyst for John Deere Intelligent Vehicle Systems were developed in classes at ASU with the excellent faculty I was honored to have educate me. Dr. Patterson and Dr. Richards were particularly helpful during my graduate studies. I continue to use them as a resource of information and advice. I think of them not only as educators, but as role models and friends.

My most memorable experience at ASU was stopping my econometrics instructor almost daily saying to "go back." When he asked how much he should go back, I would say "to the beginning." I thought that by the end of the class, he would be incredibly annoyed by me, but he always started over and went through everything again. He helped me to understand an incredibly complicated topic by taking the time to explain and re-explain every concept.