My name is Dr. Jarai Carter, and I am currently a Lecturer at Columbia University in the School of Professional Studies, teaching in their Applied Analytics Master’s program. Previously, I worked at John Deere in a variety of roles, starting as a Data Science intern in my graduate program, later becoming a Data Scientist, Manager of Data Science, and most recently a Senior Manager of Data Science. My most recent team was leading work focused on Personalized Experience for digital platforms, including the John Deere Operations Center. I worked out of the John Deere Technology Innovation Center located in Champaign, Illinois (University of Illinois Research Park), which is also my hometown. Previously, I was also the Director of Procter & Gamble’s Smart Lab, located in Champaign, Illinois, focused on technology-based consumer and market knowledge research. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Crop Sciences and my Doctorate degree in Informatics, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

While in my undergrad program, I attended the AFA Leaders Conference during my Freshman year. I was heavily involved with Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES), receiving 3rd place in the national manuscript conference, which led to my first journal article publication in Natural Sciences Education. I also received 2nd place in the national speech contest. I was fortunate to have received a large scholarship from the Illinois Soybean Association and was active in the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority. In my graduate program and blending into my full-time role at John Deere as a Data Scientist, I was fortunate to give different talks on agriculture and tech topics and participate as a judge at different University of Illinois events such as research symposiums and hackathons.

What is one AFA memory, moment or conversation that has stayed with you?

Sometimes the best memories happen when you do not follow the crowd. During one evening at the conference, I remember there was a dance after the dinner. I was a little too introverted to go out and dance with a bunch of students I did not know, so I found just one table off to the side that had other students who did not feel like dancing. We ended up talking the whole rest of the evening and I even kept in contact with one of those students today!

What skill, mindset or lesson from AFA has been most useful in your professional life?

There were two big lessons I learned from attending the AFA Leaders Conference: network more and prepare for career fairs better. I had never attended a conference like this before and so I went in basically not knowing how to navigate the space at all. As someone who has been to many conferences since that one, I quickly realized some of the most value comes from the people you meet at the conference who are like-minded. I met some great people, but I did not know how to follow up or really maintain those connections long-term. I had also never been to a career fair before and it was totally intimidating! I saw all these rows of companies, lines of students asking about internships and jobs, and the employees asking you all about yourself. I did end up having one phone interview from it, which was also a great learning experience. Now I stress to students, do not be shy, talk to people, get that resume in shape, and practice discussing your experiences out loud!

In what ways do you stay connected or involved with AFA in your professional life? Why is that important to you?

For the last couple of years, I have been an essay reviewer for several different AFA scholarships. I really enjoy giving back to students and this is a way that I provide students, who are like myself, opportunities to attend great events like these.