Name: Lexi Marek
Hometown: Riverside, Iowa
Major and graduation date: Public Service and Administration in Agriculture (Minors in Journalism & Entrepreneurial Studies), May 2017
Favorite ISU class: Econ 101 with Dermot Hayes
Job Title & Company: Executive Assistant, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Major Job/Position Responsibilities: My day is different every day, from scheduling Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture visits across the state to planning events for the Department or telling the story of Iowans on social media. My goal each day is to support Iowa agriculture and play a part in ensuring that Iowa continues to be a leading state in the agriculture industry.
What do you like most about your job/position? The best part of my job is seeing the diversity that Iowa agriculture includes. I've had the opportunity to visit businesses and farms around the state and am always energized when I meet the passionate person behind the operation. I love the state of Iowa and one thing that makes it great is the agriculture industry. The state of Iowa not only feeds the world but agriculture plays a part in our economy. People involved in agriculture are hard workers, determined, and hands down, some of the best people you can find. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
What advice would you give to current students pursuing a career in Agriculture and Life Sciences? Do what makes you happy. The biggest thing I had to learn was truly what I wanted and what steps I had to take to get there. Everyone is going to have an opinion and it is impossible to make everyone happy. Although it's important to ask for advice and guidance, you are the only person who lives with your decisions every day. From internships to full-time jobs, studying abroad to your major, follow your gut and be content with your decisions. Life is all about taking the risk and living in the reward!