Name: Melissa Draves
Major: Genetics; minors: agronomy, biology
Graduation year: 2022
Current job title and company/organization: PhD candidate, University of Missouri
What moment or experience at Iowa State most shaped your career path?
The experience that most shaped my career path was joining Dr. Dior Kelley’s lab in 2019 as a sophomore undergraduate. I spent close to three years in the lab and learned everything I could and more about designing experiments, keeping notes, collecting data and presenting on my projects. At the end of my three years, I was able to publish multiple times and present at multiple conferences. Working with Dr. Kelley pushed me to become an independent scientist and prepared me well for my next steps in graduate school.
How did your involvement in clubs, internships or research opportunities at Iowa State prepare you for your current role?
In addition to working in a research lab, I completed three summer internships at another university, a startup company and a seed company. I learned about product development, field experiments, reporting to growers and all the decisions that go into a business in the agricultural industry. These opportunities gave me real-world experiences outside of the classroom and helped me create a professional network across the Midwest. Participating in internships taught me about the real-world applications of research and how to effectively communicate with growers and industry professionals.
What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your education or career, and how did you overcome it?
As a graduate student, I am working on a large project that involves a lot of personnel from different backgrounds. Learning how to manage a team along with running a large field project can be difficult at times. To overcome this, I have focused a lot on communication and developing straightforward protocols. Making sure that everyone on the team can see how each piece of the project fits in the broader goal is essential and helps to create a smooth day-to-day experience.
Fill in the blank and provide a brief explanation: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without ______.”
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents! They took me to every college tour that I wanted to go on (even a 10-hour drive to Iowa State) and supported me every step of the way.
Fill in the blank: “The best piece of advice I received in college was _________, and here’s why it stuck with me: _________.”
The best piece of advice I received in college was learn how to (actually) talk to people. This stuck with me because in my current role, communicating my research and its outcomes is essential. I think this advice can be translated to any role whether it is professional or personal, and it is something I will always strive to improve.