John E. Brown Scholars Program

Benefits That Go Two Ways

Companies Who Participate in the JBS Program Can Get a New Perspective from the Students

The experience and insight that students get from the John Brown Scholars program are obvious.

But what is it like for the corporations who participate? Danielle DeLassus, recruiter for Bunge North America and coordinator of the students' visits, took time to answer some questions from this perspective.

Bunge North America

Founded in 1818, Bunge is a leading agribusiness and food company with integrated operations that circle the globe, stretching from the farm field to the retail shelf. Bunge has 22,000 employees at more than 450 facilities in 32 countries.

Bunge's North American operations supply raw and processed agricultural commodities and specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the livestock, poultry, food processor, food service and bakery industries. With headquarters in St. Louis, Bunge North America and its subsidiaries operate grain elevators, oilseed processing plants, edible oil refineries and packaging facilities, and corn dry mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Q & A Session With Danielle DeLassus

Question. How long has Bunge North America been involved with the MU John Brown Scholars program?

Answer. This year was Bunge's third year as a host.

Q. Is there a set "curriculum" that you introduce the students to?

A. We do our best to expose the students to all areas of the business and a number of different functional areas. This is done through site visits and tours, job shadowing, presentations, hands-on activities and open discussion forums with leaders of various areas. We tweak the program year-to-year based on changes in our business and feedback from the previous students on what they enjoyed and what they'd prefer to get exposure to.

Q. What is your opinion of the quality of the MU students that you have seen?

A. I've been impressed with the quality of the students, their openness to new experiences and their desire to learn and be challenged. Each one has filled his or her time with experiences that will add value to them as they enter the job market, including study-abroad programs, volunteer work, and leadership positions in activities outside of the classroom, all in addition to maintaining a high level of academics.

Q. What is the most important thing that Bunge adds to preparing these students to the workplace?

A. All Bunge employees who interact with the students during the week share their advice on professional growth and career paths. I think it's beneficial for the students to understand how people got to where they are in their careers and what was important along the way, such as being open to relocation or different opportunities that are presented to them.

Q. Is there anything that surprises or enlightens the students during their time in St. Louis?

A. The students are often surprised at the scope of Bunge's business operations. It's always interesting for them to learn that something they eat everyday probably has an ingredient that originated from Bunge.

Q. Do the students bring any new ideas that your employees find interesting or useful?

A. The students ask some very relevant questions based on what they've learned in the classroom that I'm sure have challenged our business leaders to think. Not only that, but it gives our long-term employees exposure to the new generation entering the workforce.

Q. Any fun moments which come to mind?

A. One of my favorite aspects of the program is the creative presentations done by the students on what they learned during the week. Last year, when I first met the students and we got into my car to head to the airport, my radio was still on high volume and a new pop song was on. The students incorporated that song in their presentation, changing the words around to make it about Bunge. Let's just say the song was titled "Bunge-licious." I had no idea they even noticed what I had on the radio!

John E. Brown Scholars Program

Benefits That Go Two Ways

Companies Who Participate in the JBS Program Can Get a New Perspective from the Students

Bunge North America

Q & A Session With Danielle DeLassus

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