The Corteva Scholarship is open to 2nd year BSc or 1st year FdSc students studying at Harper Adams University.
Below, in Hollie’s blog, we hear all about her placement at Corteva Agriscience.
I am currently an undergraduate at Harper Adams undergoing a 4-year course in Agriculture with Crop Management. As part of my studies in the third year I was required to undertake an industry placement. After research into potential options, Corteva Agriscience by far offered the best insight into a global company. With the year split into both the commercial and R&D sectors, the placement offered the best opportunities to develop my knowledge and gain industry contacts. I am now at the end of my placement having completed 8 months in sales and marketing at the Cambridge head office and 4 months in trials at the field station in Warwickshire.
Although it may seem daunting to join a global company with limited experience, everyone at Corteva is extremely friendly, enthusiastic and willing to help wherever is needed. This positive attitude towards introducing young people into the industry has allowed me to become an integral member of the team and make the most of my 12-month placement. Corteva has further enhanced my passion for agriculture and increased my confidence. I am excited to be part of an ever-changing industry, facing new challenges and helping to develop new solutions.
Throughout my time in Cambridge I have been exposed to a range of opportunities, including travelling the UK to visit Area Managers, getting exposure to leading agronomists and attending and organising events. With the agricultural industry being so small, these networking opportunities will be invaluable for my future career. As well as exposure to these opportunities, I have completed a number of tasks to aid the Corteva sales team, including improvements to an arable app and developing new spreadsheets for data analysis. During the 8 months I have attended shows including CropTec, British Potato, BBRO events and have been present at AHDB agronomy conferences. In addition to this I have shown agronomists around fungicide trial sites, helping to develop an understanding of current UK fungicide products and their efficacy.
During my 4 months at the field station I have sprayed and assessed a variety of herbicide and fungicide trials and developed my weed and disease identification. I have also had the opportunity to manage my own trial to use for my dissertation when I return to Harper for my final year. I have learnt about many current issues facing the agricultural industry and been exposed to a variety of experts within their fields. Before my time at Corteva, I had a very limited view of career options within the industry, but since joining the company this has changed, giving me many potential options for a career after I graduate.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement with Corteva and the opportunities I have been exposed to have exceeded beyond my expectations. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I would recommend this placement to anyone at Harper Adams with an interest and passion for crop protection.
The Corteva Scholarship is open to 2nd year BSc or 1st year FdSc students studying at Harper Adams University.
Below, in Hollie’s blog, we hear all about her placement at Corteva Agriscience.
I am currently an undergraduate at Harper Adams undergoing a 4-year course in Agriculture with Crop Management. As part of my studies in the third year I was required to undertake an industry placement. After research into potential options, Corteva Agriscience by far offered the best insight into a global company. With the year split into both the commercial and R&D sectors, the placement offered the best opportunities to develop my knowledge and gain industry contacts. I am now at the end of my placement having completed 8 months in sales and marketing at the Cambridge head office and 4 months in trials at the field station in Warwickshire.
Although it may seem daunting to join a global company with limited experience, everyone at Corteva is extremely friendly, enthusiastic and willing to help wherever is needed. This positive attitude towards introducing young people into the industry has allowed me to become an integral member of the team and make the most of my 12-month placement. Corteva has further enhanced my passion for agriculture and increased my confidence. I am excited to be part of an ever-changing industry, facing new challenges and helping to develop new solutions.
Throughout my time in Cambridge I have been exposed to a range of opportunities, including travelling the UK to visit Area Managers, getting exposure to leading agronomists and attending and organising events. With the agricultural industry being so small, these networking opportunities will be invaluable for my future career. As well as exposure to these opportunities, I have completed a number of tasks to aid the Corteva sales team, including improvements to an arable app and developing new spreadsheets for data analysis. During the 8 months I have attended shows including CropTec, British Potato, BBRO events and have been present at AHDB agronomy conferences. In addition to this I have shown agronomists around fungicide trial sites, helping to develop an understanding of current UK fungicide products and their efficacy.
During my 4 months at the field station I have sprayed and assessed a variety of herbicide and fungicide trials and developed my weed and disease identification. I have also had the opportunity to manage my own trial to use for my dissertation when I return to Harper for my final year. I have learnt about many current issues facing the agricultural industry and been exposed to a variety of experts within their fields. Before my time at Corteva, I had a very limited view of career options within the industry, but since joining the company this has changed, giving me many potential options for a career after I graduate.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement with Corteva and the opportunities I have been exposed to have exceeded beyond my expectations. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I would recommend this placement to anyone at Harper Adams with an interest and passion for crop protection.
