FEAD Summer Internship Panel--Start a Career in One of the World's Most Important Industries

Today FEAD hosted a Summer Internship Panel of 2nd Year Booth students who spent their summers at companies such as Starbucks, Brasil Foods, Empresas CMPC, and Spanish Vines. One of our panelists also started his own Agribusiness, Cerazukar, in Mexico after having gone through Booth's New Venture Challenge. 

The panelists discussed what its like recruiting in the food and agribusiness space and how to be successful in networking, securing an interview, and getting a great summer internship. Topics ranged from the best Booth resources to utilize during your company search, to how to best reach out to alumni and HR recruiters. 

Chicago Booth has over 1,000 alumni in the food and agribusiness space, including many current and former senior executives:

• Charles Harper, former CEO of ConAgra (and namesake donor of the Booth's beautiful Harper Center)
• David W. MacLennan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cargill
• Hugh F. Johnston, Chief Financial Officer of PepsiCo. Inc.
• Robert Mariano, CEO of Roundy’s Supermarkets
• Matt Maloney, CEO of GrubHub 
• Ray Young, CFO of Archer Daniels Midland

What many don't realize is that a career in food and agribusiness is an opportunity to engage in one of world's most important areas--the global food system. Did you know that by 2050 the world needs to nearly double global food production to feed an additional 3 billion people? This needs to be accomplished in the context of land, water and soil scarcity, climate change, and declining crop yields, requiring another giant leap in food and agricultural innovation--from farm to fork. It demands global leaders who can comfortably navigate the worlds of business, government, and non-profits to achieve results. 

There are opportunities for Booth MBAs to have an impact while advancing their career in numerous ways and at many different places. Corporate Food/Agribusiness Leadership Programs, startups trying to reinvent the food/ag industry, local farmers markets, governments, and health and nutrition organizations want MBAs. It only makes sense that Booth, Bloomberg Businessweek's #1 ranked Full-Time business school, is working to prepare students to tackle one of the world's greatest challenges--with business solutions.    

2nd Year Panelists Discuss Their Experience Getting Jobs in the food/ag space

FEAD Co-Chair, Andres Imaz, having too good of a time!