Aaron Strike
Agronomic Research Specialist
Monsanto
Greece
Biography
"A little adversity can make a routine trip into a great adventure. Anyone can go on a trip, only few can see the changing reality as an adventure. Be excited for the unknown. That's half the fun of learning."​ That's the message I received from my dad the morning my flight to Panama was delayed several times and ultimately cancelled. The travel study course was in jeopardy. This Panama trip was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I could combine my passions for agriculture and the Spanish language. But Dallas got 3/4 inch of snow. The city shut down. No flights. It was easy to let the disappointment overtake me. That's when I got this message from my dad. It completely changed my perspective and without those words, my trip to Panama would not have been the adventure it proved to be. Our flight left four days later, and the trip meant more to me than it would have without that four day delay and my dad's unique perspective. Learning is an adventure. By viewing those adventures with the right perspective, each experience gets its own unique value. I can't wait for the next one. Over the last ten years I've worked for three of the top companies in five different roles across four locations. I've traveled internationally three times through two study abroad trips as well as assisting with projects in Puerto Rico. Using Spanish-speaking skills, I've broken through language barriers initiating clearer communication and improved quality. I've worked long hours hand-pollinating corn breeding nurseries because I enjoyed being a part of strong cohesive teams. I've led training sessions so all employees can contribute at a high level. I've created documentation for standard operating procedures because I believe in commitment to quality. It's always my goal to add a quality performance perspective to any task I do. In the seed industry, adversity can strike at any time. I'm excited for the unknown, and ready for what it will teach me.
Research Interest
"A little adversity can make a routine trip into a great adventure. Anyone can go on a trip, only few can see the changing reality as an adventure. Be excited for the unknown. That's half the fun of learning."​ That's the message I received from my dad the morning my flight to Panama was delayed several times and ultimately cancelled. The travel study course was in jeopardy. This Panama trip was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I could combine my passions for agriculture and the Spanish language. But Dallas got 3/4 inch of snow. The city shut down. No flights. It was easy to let the disappointment overtake me. That's when I got this message from my dad. It completely changed my perspective and without those words, my trip to Panama would not have been the adventure it proved to be. Our flight left four days later, and the trip meant more to me than it would have without that four day delay and my dad's unique perspective. Learning is an adventure. By viewing those adventures with the right perspective, each experience gets its own unique value. I can't wait for the next one. Over the last ten years I've worked for three of the top companies in five different roles across four locations. I've traveled internationally three times through two study abroad trips as well as assisting with projects in Puerto Rico. Using Spanish-speaking skills, I've broken through language barriers initiating clearer communication and improved quality. I've worked long hours hand-pollinating corn breeding nurseries because I enjoyed being a part of strong cohesive teams. I've led training sessions so all employees can contribute at a high level. I've created documentation for standard operating procedures because I believe in commitment to quality. It's always my goal to add a quality performance perspective to any task I do. In the seed industry, adversity can strike at any time. I'm excited for the unknown, and ready for what it will teach me.
