As an active FFA member with a family background in agriculture, Adam Midgett found his place in CALS. Midgett, BSA ’15 Animal Sciences, is working in Seoul, Korea in executive recruitment and as an advisor providing guidance on the current market conditions in Korea for companies thinking about investing in office space there.
What brought you to CALS and your department? What first sparked your interest in your major?
During high school, I was an active member of the FFA. I had grown up with a family heavily involved in agriculture, particularly the Florida citrus and beef cattle industries. Having grown up in this industry, I realized the important role that agriculture plays in Florida’s economy and wanted to educate myself on the things that I had first-hand experience with growing up.
Was there a particular CALS faculty/staff or mentor that was influential in your career path?
Dr. Charlotte Emerson was one of my biggest personal motivators during my time in CALS. She served as a mentor for me, guiding me as a CALS Ambassador and helping me to find my place in the college. I learned so much from her about leadership, personal responsibility and creating drive and motivation for myself in anything that I pursue. I can’t thank her enough for all that she taught and instilled in me during my years at UF.
What do you find to be the coolest/best part of your job/career?
Currently, I am working in a field totally outside of my major, I’ve had a crazy ride after graduating from UF. I went on to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China on a full-ride scholarship. I wrote a graduate thesis on the agricultural trade relationship between the US and China, and I spent time interning with the American Chamber of Commerce for a while. Now, I’m living in Seoul, Korea working in executive recruitment. I work with amazing people, helping multinational companies in Korea recruit top executives to work for them. I get to meet some real movers and shakers in my job, people that have real influence in their organizations. I also serve as an advisor, providing market guidance on the current market conditions in Korea for companies thinking about investing in an office here.
What are some exciting projects you have worked on in the course of your career?
I have helped to recruit some very high-level positions in my job. I’ve successfully placed C-level executives and board members for companies like LG Electronics, Samsung, Coupang (basically the Amazon of Korea) and BMW. In my first full-time job out of graduate school, I was working for Alltech in Shanghai, China as the Regional Sales Director for their Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company for all of Eastern China, covering 5 different cities near the coast.
What advice would you give to students who are interested in the same major/career path as you?
Study abroad! I know that it is tough with the current pandemic, but as soon as you have the opportunity, explore the world and pick up a summer study abroad program. CALS has a ton of different programs to choose from! What a lot of students don’t realize is that there are so many opportunities for you abroad. Whether it’s grad school or a full-time career, the world can be your oyster and you can succeed anywhere you set your mind to.
“Don’t be afraid to explore your interests. While your major can lead to exciting career opportunities, pick up a minor, I ended up minoring in Chinese, and next thing I knew I was living, studying, and working full-time in China.” – Adam Midgett
Animal Sciences students prepare for veterinary school; graduate programs in animal research; or careers in biological sciences, beef or dairy production, agribusiness, food production, and the equine industry. The Department offers five undergraduate program options and three graduate degrees. The program strives to create new solutions for tomorrow’s problems. In the areas of teaching, research, and extension, faculty integrate the most modern technologies available with personal expertise and attention to the needs of students and the industry. Find a CALS major that suits your interests by taking our majors quiz. You can also find information regarding our undergraduate and graduate programs on our website. Questions for Adam Midgett about his experiences in the Animal Science Department should be directed to amidgett@yahoo.com.
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