Agricultural Business Senior Spotlight: Jessica Brown

Senior Jessica Brown is looking forward to an exciting career as a financial analyst with Rabo AgriFinance after an equally four years as a Fresno State agricultural business student.

The Tracy, CA native is from a grape-growing family, so it’s not surprising that she has interned with O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, and also studied winemaking and marketing in a study abroad trip to Spain. She has also expanded her horizons as an international marketing intern for the California Milk Advisory Board.

On campus, she has shined as a key student leader through the FFA Field Day planning committee, Delta Zeta sorority and supplemental instructor program for ag finance classes.

Learn more about her in this recent interview.

 

Why were you drawn to agricultural business as a degree?

Brown: “I come from a farming family, and my older brother pursued the same degree, and I saw how rewarding it was for him.  I also felt like a degree in agricultural business gives a wide range of potential career paths, and I wanted to make sure I had options.”

 

What were some of your favorite classes at Fresno State, and what faculty were key influences for you?

Brown: “Dr. Lone’s marketing class and his finance class had the biggest influence by far on what I would end up pursuing as a career.  I don't think he will ever know just how much he has changed the course of my future for the better. I also had a fun time in the fermentation class where I was able to make different types of beer and wine.”

 

Did you have any additional experiences that related to academics or the campus farm that helped you on your career path?

Brown: “I worked as a supplemental instruction (SI) leader for the ag finance course that Dr. Lone teaches the past three semesters. I attended finance lectures, created lesson plans and held office hours to help students in areas of the class that they needed more practice.  I also had weekly meetings with other SI leaders, and with Dr. Lone to learn how to be a better leader and prepare students.”

 

What's  the next step in your career path?

Brown: “After college I will work for Rabo AgriFinance as a financial analyst.  If it weren't for Dr. Lone and my role as an SI leader, I never would have considered this a career option, but I am so excited to take on this role and cannot thank the Fresno State ag business department enough for preparing me so well.”

 

What was your background in agriculture before Fresno State?

Brown: “I lived in Tracy on a 700-acre vineyard, and my family grows wine grapes and sells to a variety of wineries.  My dad started this business (Land Management Inc.), and now he and my brother manage the farm together. I worked during the summers in high school before going to Fresno State.”

 

Did you do any internships while at Fresno State, and how did that they help you professionally?

Brown: “The summer after my first year I was a sugar testing intern for O'Neill winery, which gave me a chance to look at the grape growing process from a winery’s perspective. Last summer, I was an international marketing intern for the California Milk Advisory Board, so I learned about a whole new commodity that I was already interested in and about international business.”

 

Were you a part of any clubs/organizations at Fresno State?

Brown: “I was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority for four years and served as the treasurer one year and the vice president of philanthropy for another year.  Through this I had the opportunity to do a lot of community outreach and fundraisers to raise money for local community programs as well as the Starkey Hearing Foundation.  I was also a chair for the FFA Field Day committee for two years, where our committee planned the FFA state judging contests on campus for high school students.”

 

Did you participate in any other professional activities that were industry-related?

Brown: “I had the opportunity through the ag marketing competitive team class to attend a conference in Washington D.C. where we presented our marketing recommendations for a company there.”

 

What was your most memorable experience at Fresno State?

Brown: “Getting to study abroad in Spain and learn about wine marketing.  It was an incredible experience, and I had so much fun learning about the business side of the wine industry. “

 

Who have been the key influences on your road to a diploma?

Brown: “I am forever grateful for my parents, my brother and Dr. Lone for their support. They have always provided me the best advice and have been great role models.”