Took advantage of networking while gaining real world experience
Lauren Bush
Hometown: Flora, IN
High school: Carroll Jr. Sr. High School
Major & Concentration: Agribusiness Management with minors in Animal Science and Farm Management
Why did you come to Purdue: For the agriculture program; only college I applied to
Favorite Purdue tradition: My favorite Purdue tradition is not walking under the Bell Tower
Top three influences at Purdue:
- Sports
- College of Ag
- Classes that prepare you for the "Real World"
Five words to describe Purdue:
- Family
- Supportive
- Challenging
- Adaptive
- Leader
Top five highlights of your career:
- Giving a golf cart tour to a guest of the President of the University
- Helping pack 150,000 meals during Ag Week
- Watching former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue speak during Ag Week
- Purdue beating Ohio State for Tyler Trent – still gives me goosebumps
- Watching Purdue in the Elite 8
Something you wish you would have done at Purdue: Driven the Boilermaker Special!!
Places you have been as a Purdue student:
- Study Abroad in Ireland
- Internships with Remington Seeds, Co-Alliance, and Elanco Animal Health
- All around campus!
Have to redo college in a major not in Ag: Vet School
Favorite club/organization: Ag Council – provides so many valuable opportunities to students
Favorite Student-led event/initiative: Ag Week!
Favorite Purdue event: Homecoming!
Favorite place to study: In the Marriott Building – so much natural light!
Over your career where were you most likely to be found on campus: Most likely somewhere in the Union
Favorite spot on campus: In front of WALC by the Bell Tower on a nice day!
Favorite thing about CoA: The opportunities it provides to its students
Favorite thing about AGEC: How it makes a large program feel small, and so connected. Everyone is willing to help you.
Favorite thing about your major: Give you the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the Agriculture industry
Favorite class: AGEC 430 – Agricultural and Food Business Strategy
Favorite professor: Jim Eales
Coolest project: Capstone Project for AGEC 430 working with a team of 4 to create business plans, presentations, and navigate a virtual selling market, to compete against other teams in that market.
Three biggest accomplishments:
- Being on the Executive Team for Ag Council
- Being a Farm Credit Mid America Scholar
- Becoming an AGEC 430 teaching Assistant
Three words to describe you:
What are you passionate for: I am passionate about the Agriculture Industry and trying to be an advocate for it
What intrigues you about the Ag industry: How such a small percentage of the population can feed such a large percentage of the world. Also, how it continues to grow and adapt, especially in technology.
What motivates you: Educating people who know little about the Ag industry, like people who think their food comes from the grocery store. Making sure they know the process of how the food gets there.
Favorite quote: "If you ain't first, you're last!" – Ricky Bobby
Personal Motto: Always be the best version of yourself
Where do you want to end up: Somewhere in Indiana, fairly close to home
Advice for underclassman: Seriously take advantage of the networking opportunities at Purdue! I sound like a broken record saying this because you'll hear that so many times in your Purdue career but really take it to heart. There will be very few other times that you will be in an environment with such a variety of people who are willing to connect with you!!
Biggest takeaway from Purdue: Purdue gives you the opportunity to meet people from around the world, and even at a college with over 40,000 students, it still feels small and like you're at home.