Countless opportunities allow for this graduating Boilermaker to pursue a career in the agriculture industry
MacKinley Cooksey
Hometown: Williamsport, IN
Major & Concentration: Agricultural Economics; Applied Agricultural Economics
Minors or Certificates: Food & Agribusiness Management, Ag Econ Honors Program
Why did you come to Purdue: I grew up a Boilermaker fan, and with Purdue having an incredible Ag program, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend!
Favorite Purdue tradition: Den Pops
Top three influences at Purdue:
- College of Ag
- Internships
- My network
Top five memories of your time at Purdue:
- Purdue Basketball beating Iowa to take the #1 spot!
- Countless Insomnia runs during Covid lockdown
- Handing out over 1,700 burgers to students during Ag Week
- Purdue vs. IU football games
- The mask mandate on campus being lifted!
Places you have been as a Purdue student: Entering college during a pandemic has limited the ability to travel, but my internships have allowed me to experience many different locations in Indiana.
Favorite club/organization: Ag Week Task Force
Favorite Student-led event/initiative: Ag Week!!
Favorite Purdue event: College of Ag fall career fair
Favorite place to study: Ag Administration
Favorite spot on campus: Ross-Ade Stadium
Favorite thing about CoA: The College of Ag is full of countless opportunities, with some amazing advisors to ensure you find your way!
Favorite thing about your major: The versatility of an Ag Econ degree is so important to me as I continue to find my place in the agriculture industry.
Favorite class: AGEC 330
Favorite professor: Dr. Brewer
Coolest project: My undergraduate research project on rural development with Dr. Maria Marshall will be a huge part of my final year.
Three biggest accomplishments:
- Graduating in 3 years, even with a pandemic
- Serving on Ag Week Task Force as the Media Co-Chair
- Making it on the Dean’s List every semester
Where do you want to end up: Midwest, where I can serve a variety of agribusinesses and be involved in my community.
Advice for underclassman: Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. In the College of Ag, we come from so many different backgrounds, and are all searching for to fulfill a unique dream. Your experience is going to look different than anyone else’s.
Biggest takeaway from Purdue: The connections I have made with previous and current Boilermakers are so special. No matter where you are in the world, there is sure to be a Boilermaker nearby!