Having taken advantage of various unique opportunities at Concordia, Haugdahl is wholly prepared to launch his career at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), an international agriculture business.
Shortly after graduation, the Henning, Minn., native will start work within ADM’s merchandising and elevator management program – starting with six weeks of training at the company’s Decatur, Ill., location.
Last summer, a course-related project took Haugdahl to Kazakhstan, and this spring, he studied in Mexico. His off-campus stints allowed him to procure language skills, immerse himself in new cultures and make connections with people.
“Those experiences have pushed me further out of my comfort zone and helped me to apply real-world skills to the knowledge I obtained in the classroom,” Haugdahl says.
He credits Concordia’s faculty with providing a solid foundation of knowledge and experience. Susan Geib, assistant professor of marketing, has had a particular impact on him, he says.
“Without her, I don’t think I would have had the courage to visit and view the world in a new way,” Haugdahl says.
As a business marketing major, Haugdahl spent the majority of his academic career in the Offutt School of Business.
“The new Offutt School facility is a great environment with smaller classes and more interaction among students,” he says. “Classrooms have up-to-date technology, which contributes to an effective and global learning experience.”
College-related travel, inspiring professors, and high-quality facilities have prepared Haugdahl to become responsibly engaged in the world in his role at ADM.
“The most important thing for me is to enjoy and love what I do,” Haugdahl says. “Doing so requires an open mind – to new people, places and opportunities.”