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CAFNR Connections June 2007: Vol. 2, No. 2

Outcomes: It's looking good for CAFNR grads!

CAFNR students are doing well -- extremely well according to the latest Destination Survey (December 2005/May and August 2006 graduates) released in May by the MU Office of Enrollment Management:

Agriculture: Based on a 74 percent response rate, 23 percent indicated that they were continuing their education. Of those seeking placement, 94 percent reported that they were employed, with 92 percent of those employed reporting jobs related to their degree; 78 percent found employment in Missouri.
Natural Resources: Based on a 55 percent response rate, 22 percent reported continuing their education. Of those seeking placement, 86 percent reported employment, with 88 percent of those reporting jobs related to their degree; 76 percent were employed in-state.

This has been a very strong year in terms of recruitment. Students enjoyed multiple offers with a wide salary range depending on job type, location and employer, but a number of graduates report starting their career with a salary in excess of $50,000.

The average salary reported in CAFNR is $33,500, up almost 5 percent from last year's average of $32,000.

The December 2006/May and August 2007 class can expect more success. Already at graduation, the May graduates indicated a 69 percent placement rate!

Megan Fox receives a CAFNR pin from Vice Chancellor and Dean Tom Payne after she was named Outstanding Senior during the College's spring 2007 commencement ceremony, May 13. Fox, from Troy, Mo., earned a bachelor's degree in agribusiness and has started her career at Monsanto.

CAFNR seniors line up prior to graduation.

New in May, seniors carried banners to represent their departments.

Program Stats

Connections mentor Kelly Diedring of Busch Gardens and School of Natural Resource's own Laura Hertel hold Sam (Kelly's friend from Busch Gardens). Kelly participated in this summer's Sciences of Life Academy, a week-long program for bright, urban high school students interested in science. Kelly continues to be very helpful to our students interested in exotic animals. We expect Kelly to be a popular mentor again this year as our new captive wild animal management minor is launched!

Following are Connections program statistics for this year as well as a brief guide to programming plans for next fall.

We are planning for even better future outcomes.

Online. To date, 146 CAFNR student-initiated mentor contacts have been recorded through the HireMizzouGrads.com system. In addition, 14 recorded contacts were made during the school year through CAFNR Career Services on behalf of CAFNR students and alumni and one prospective student!

Career Programming. Mentors participated in every college-wide career development program we sponsored last year! From reviewing resumes last September to John Brown/Dickinson Programs in January to sharing good advice with seniors on personal finance in May, over 50 mentors presented at, participated in and enhanced every one of our 2006-07 programs.

Career Day 2007

Mark the calendar for CAFNR Career Day on Wednesday, Sept. 26! Last year, 70 employers registered to attend the fair, and based on registrations thus far, we expect another increase.

Noon to 4 p.m. — Career Fair in Mizzou Student Recreational Complex
4:30 to 6 p.m. — Reception for student leaders, employers and CAFNR faculty members in Eckles Café

On Thursday, Sept. 27, employers who attend the fair are invited to stay for on-campus interviews.

We welcome CAFNR Connections mentors and other alumni/friend representatives to our career fair. Please let us know if you are interested in attending. Employers may register on www.HireMizzouTigers.com.

Fall Career Programs

Every college-wide career program during the 2006-07 school year involved at least one CAFNR Connections career mentor!

To help our students prepare for Career Day, interviews and the job search process in general, the following programs are slated for fall 2007:

Resumes 101: On-site reviews with professionals (back by popular demand!), sponsored by Bartlett and Company
Wednesday, Sept. 5
After a formal program by Connections mentors/executive recruiters, students will be given the opportunity to have their resumes reviewed by professionals in their intended field.

Interviewing Strategies: On-site advice and tips from professionals, sponsored by Monsanto
Tuesday, Sept. 11
How can I make myself memorable—in a positive way? What is a behavioral-based question and how should I answer it? How do I "close" an interview? Answers to these and other interview questions will be answered during a brief program. Following the formal program, students will have the opportunity to sign up for short "mock" interviews with mentors and professionals in the field to receive feedback on their first impression, question-answering abilities and interview closing skills.

CAFNR Family Weekend and Senior Recognition Brunch (a new CAFNR Tradition!), sponsored by the Ag Alumni Association
Saturday, Sept. 15
Alumni from both the Ag and SNR Alumni Associations will join CAFNR Career Services to celebrate our seniors…and share with them all of the resources that will help them find meaningful careers and stay connected to MU and CAFNR after graduation.

CAFNR Etiquette Dinner 2007, sponsored by the Missouri Beef Industry Council
Thursday, Nov. 8
Students will learn the basic rules of etiquette for dining. Connections mentors will again share in the good food and fun by demonstrating some memorable dining "don'ts"!

Salary Savvy: The Art and Science of Negotiations
Tuesday, Nov. 13
CAFNR Seniors are in high demand and receive multiple offers. How should these offers be evaluated? What is appropriate in terms of negotiating acceptance timeline, salary, start date and other aspects of the job? This new workshop focuses on helping our seniors make good decisions, while navigating an excellent job market and maintaining good relationships with all employers.

Networking Know-How, Sponsored by Steak n Shake
Thursday, Nov. 15
Starting a conversation at a mixer, accepting a business card, recognizing opportunities to connect with others in a helpful way -- these are a few of the topics that will be covered this year. Also, attendees should be prepared for a fast-paced round of "speed networking."