Applied Biosciences Alumni Profile

Emily O.

Retail Pricing and Formulation Supervisor at Cargill Feed and Nutrition

 

What was your undergraduate degree in?

I received a B.S. in Animal Science from Purdue University in 2012.

 

Why did you decide to pursue a master's degree in applied biosciences?

I chose to pursue the degree, in part because I wanted to develop vital professional skills that I felt were lacking in my undergraduate studies. My science-focused, technical background left me feeling as though my “soft skills” were underdeveloped for a professional environment.

When I first learned about the degree, it seemed like the best of both worlds. The coursework offered continued learning relevant to my professional field as well as opportunities for formalized training and development in leadership and interpersonal dynamics.

I also appreciated the flexibility of the degree; students are able to choose courses with both online and in-person options which fit into my schedule as a full-time working professional.

 

How has the degree contributed to your career?

One of the biggest contributions of the degree to my career was learning and appreciating the importance of a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to solving problems. The courses challenged me to think about how to bring cross-functional groups together, integrate these groups, and leverage differences to find creative solutions when facing complex problems.