Kellogg Food & Agribusiness Club (kFAB) | Prospective Student FAQ

kFAB is here to answer questions for prospective students looking for a unique experience with their MBA program.  We were in your shoes not too long ago, looking to leverage helpful resources in deciding which program to choose.  Below are a few frequently asked questions about Kellogg and how the program is perfect for those who are passionate about the food and ag industries.

What kind of events does kFAB host?

kFAB hosts many kinds of events:

• Educational: Throughout the year, kFAB invites business leaders from across the food industry to talk about industry trends, positioning in a competitive market, and other topics of interest. Past topics have included "Natural Food Trends" from the New Hope Network, "Growing Brands and Innovating in Large Companies" with The Hive (PepsiCo's incubator), and "The Future of Protein: Changing How the World Eats" with the Good Food Institute.
• Careers: Our Intern Panels give students an opportunity to speak with 2nd-year students who interned at food and agribusiness companies to gain valuable insights into the recruiting process and provide an inside perspective on company culture and roles. We also host Value Chain 101 and offer Food & Ag Recruiting Bootcamp.
• Social: kFAB hosts various social events throughout the year. Our small group dinner series brings together club members passionate about the food industry to have healthy discussions around how we think the food industry is changing and what the future holds. We also bring folks together to go on fun outings, like farmers' market tours or restaurant crawls!

How do resources at Kellogg compare to other MBA programs for students interested in the food industry?

Kellogg students benefit from our proximity to Chicago, a city with a booming food and agribusiness ecosystem. Throughout the year, students often attend events and networking opportunities downtown, in addition to pursuing internships to supplement course work.

You can read about why members of kFAB specifically chose Kellogg to pursue food & ag in this Inside Kellogg blog post!

Do food and agribusiness companies really require an MBA?

We consistently hear from companies in the industry that MBAs bring a unique value to their organizations. In particular, Kellogg's focus on developing leadership and teamwork cater to the needs of food and ag companies, who frequently label these skillsets as top priority.

What if I don't have a background in the food industry?  How difficult is it to pivot?

Most alumni who have careers in the food came to Kellogg with very little industry experience. kFAB produces educational events to help students gain insight into various career options and offer a platform to network with alumni in this space. Many students interested in pivoting choose to pursue internships in Chicago to gain experience so that upon graduation they are strong candidates for the job opportunities in food and agribusiness.

You can read about two kFAB exec members who pivoted into food & ag from other industries in this Inside Kellogg blog post!

What can I do to prepare for my time at Kellogg?

Coming into Kellogg, you are presented with many options for your career. We find that students who get a jump start on career exploration usually feel more prepared coming into their MBA experience. We recommend using LinkedIn to reach out to alumni and current students who have worked or interned at companies you may be interested in. This will help you define your career goals and come into the fall with a clear idea of the job opportunities you would like to pursue.

Other questions?

Have any other questions? Contact us via DM on Instagram or at FAB-Club@kellogg.northwestern.edu. We'll get back to you as soon as possible to help as you consider Kellogg for your MBA experience!