Alumni Profile : Mike Janssen
“Enrolling into the Masters of Science in Agronomy Distance program has been one of the best decisions I made in my life. I experienced greater job satisfaction due to helping my clientele, as well as an increased earning potential that I would not have had otherwise.”
Mike Janssen
Technical Service Agronomist
for Golden Harvest Seeds Inc.
“I believe the success of the M.S. in Agronomy program lies with excellent teaching by the faculty, great program design and development, and innovation in technology. I will recommend this program to anyone interested in advancing their career and personal aspirations and goals!”
My name is Mike Jansen. I’m a 2005 graduate from the Master of Science in Agronomy distance education program. I enrolled in the program in 2000 and completed it in 2005.
I currently work as a technical service agronomist for Golden Harvest Seeds Inc, which is a Syngenta company. I wouldn’t be where I’m today without the experience from the Masters of Agronomy program.
While the program is continually improving upon the platform that already exists, I believe that my experience with the program is second to none. The forethought and the vision of the faculty, staff, and other supporters have turned a dream of mine into reality. I am always searching for ways to improve my abilities as an agronomist and a leader in the communities in which I work. I found that the Masters of Agronomy program addressed my needs and aspirations very well.
The technology of the program was fabulous and it was one of my favorite parts of the program. I was working 67 hours a week and raising five children while working on the degree so I needed a program available to me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Web-based training allowed me access to course materials from any location and the flexibility to work on my own schedule.
Nothing good comes easily and hard work and effort allowed me to get something great out of this program. This is why at the end of the day if you put in some effort, you are going to be more competitive in the marketplace. The power of the Masters of Agronomy program is that it not only allows students to obtain a degree off-campus by providing the flexibility to balance a working career and education, but also includes the opportunity to develop new relationships, personal development in leadership, communication, and integrity. I have gained all of these characteristics and attribute much of my success in industry to the Iowa State University Masters of Agronomy program and faculty.