Cory Walters
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Lincoln, NE USA
“Everyone has weaknesses. When you think that you don’t, then you’ve exposed your true weakness.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationCory Walters
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Grew up on a grain farm in Montana growing wheat, canola, barley, and peas—was always warned by his father not to go into the agricultural industry.
Worked for a summer at an aluminum plant, but he hated it—credits this experience with helping him understand how to decide what works best for him and what risks he was willing to take.
Attended Montana State University, where he started as a computer science major, but quickly realized that his failing grades meant he should be doing something else.
Unsure what step to take next, he took a random class in Arabic, which led to him spending time traveling Morocco, Egypt, and Syria.
After meeting with faculty members, he decided to ignore his father’s advice and ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
Says he began to get interested in economics because of its “rigorous framework designed to help you make decisions.”
Decided to go back to school to receive his master’s degree in agricultural economics and his Ph.D. in economics from Washington State University.
Now teaches in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, focusing on farm income risk management and policy-important areas of federal crop insurance.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics
I focus my teaching on management issues facing Nebraska crop producers.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Numbers
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
I spend the majority of my day reading, staring at my computer writing, drinking coffee (while thinking), thinking, more reading, then some more writing.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Get to know your faculty and use them to gain insight into the profession and build contacts.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"Don't go into farming."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation College Student
Interviewed By
Risk & Reward
Think you know the world of insurance?
