Alumni Spotlight

Name: Sarah Voss

Current Title: Strategy Manager

Organization: HelloFresh Brands

Major: B.S. Agricultural Economics (2008)

K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!

What led you to choose Kansas State University and major in agricultural economics?

I grew up in a K-State household, so it was all I really knew. In my senior year of high school, I applied and got accepted. K-State was my first choice, my safety school and my backup. I knew that was where I wanted to go, so it’s where I went. I chose the College of Agriculture because I grew up on a farm, knew the importance of agriculture and it felt like home. I found agricultural economics through AGEC 318, Food and Agribusiness Management. I remember sitting in class and thinking, “this really makes sense.” That class changed the trajectory of my career.

Did you have any study abroad experiences while at K-State? If so, what were they like?

I had the opportunity to go on two faculty-led study abroad trips. The first was to South America with Dr. Michael Boland. We visited Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. It was a truly great experience. The next summer, I went to Australia and New Zealand, also with Dr. Boland. Both were really great trips. I got to see some really cool places, places that I never thought I would see. It definitely opened my eyes to how every country is so different in terms of its food, agriculture and current events. It really was one of the greatest experiences I had during my time at K-State.

What steps did you take in your career after graduating, and how did you get to where you are now?

My career path was very much non-traditional, but it got me to where I wanted to be. After I graduated with a degree in agricultural economics, I moved to South Korea and taught English for six years. I didn’t see that in the cards, but I loved it, although I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever. I wanted to come back to the States and use my degree. When I returned from South Korea, I found an entry-level job with a vertically integrated chicken company, and I worked on the commodity sales and procurement side of the business. I really loved it. It took me about 10 years to get back into my field, but it was worth it. My advice to current students and students new to the workforce is not to give up, because it will all eventually work out. Know that the timeline you think you should be on might not be exact, but as long as you keep chasing what you want to do, you’re going to get to where you want to be.

What has your experience been like as an alumnus of the College of Agriculture?

I have had the opportunity to attend several conferences throughout my career. Even if there's not a speaker from K-State’s College of Agriculture, information from the agricultural economics department is often cited as a reputable and trusted source. You get this feeling of pride knowing that you’re at a major conference, with thousands of attendees, and the university you attended is being featured as the truth, the source of what they’re presenting.

Are there many opportunities in non-traditional areas of agriculture, and what do those look like?

Specifically with the College of Ag and HelloFresh, everything overlaps if there is food involved. No matter where the company is, there’s a place for you because there’s procurement, food safety, quality, supply chain and multiple different avenues that you can explore. The further you go in your career, you discover that there are more opportunities outside of what would be considered a traditional agriculture career. You have to think outside the box and be comfortable moving to a place that might not be viewed as traditional.