Karl Brauer, a native of Sidney, is a senior in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is working toward a manor in agronomy and a minor in biochemistry.
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Karl’s most recent employment experience allowed him to do extensive traveling while learning about hybrid corn production. In December 2004 he completed a six-month Molecular Breeding Internship with Pioneer Hi-Bred International. The internship was based in York but required to travel to California, Colorado, and Iowa. The internship allowed him to get an inside glimpse of what a plant breeder in industry does everyday as well as learn bout hybrid corn production, an area in which he had little practical experience before his internship. (He had had extensive experience with wheat from the farm where he grew up.) It also provided him the opportunity to learn about corporate business structure.
While on campus at UNL Karl has been involved with a variety of clubs and activities. While in the dorm he was a member of student government serving as treasurer of Burr Residence Hall. He has been a member of the Agronomy Club for four years and has served as assistant treasurer and historian. Karl also participated in agronomy regional meetings in Fargo, North Dakota. He is a two-year member of Alpha Zeta and a member of the National Collegiate Honor Society.
When asked what helped him to realize that UNL was the place for him, Karl stated that, “I had always known that I wanted to become a plant breeder. This helped me to know that I needed a strong agronomy program when I began looking for colleges. Several universities offered strong agronomy programs, some with an emphasis on wheat, but none of the other universities had a separate Agricultural College. I liked the fact that being separate from the main university made it feel smaller and friendlier with like-minded people. I had also been active in 4-H and our extension agent, Connie Hancock, initially introduced me to the Agronomy Department at UNL. She contacted a couple of the professors and asked them to call me. Two professors called me and convinced me to come for a visit and I discovered that UNL was the right place for me.”
“I feel that I have received a well-rounded education and an especially strong background in agronomy from UNL,” Karl stated. “The professors have been exceptional and the subject matter has been presented in an interesting and challenging manner. The network of professors and leaders in the agriculture industry that I have met while at UNL will prove invaluable in my future. My internship at Pioneer was one of the most rewarding opportunities I will ever experience. I was able to learn from and work with some of the most qualified individuals in the industry and will be able to use them as references for graduate school and future job experiences.”
After graduation in May Karl will begin another internship with Pioneer Hybrid International and then return to UNL in the fall for graduate school.
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