From small-town beginnings to global impact, Cara McCauley shares how curiosity, connection, and courage led her to a career she didn’t know existed—in a state she never planned to leave.
Q: Cara, let’s start from the beginning. Why are you in Indiana today?
Cara: I’m in Indiana today because of my career, but it started long before that. I was born and raised near Crawfordsville, in a small rural town in West Central Indiana. I left for undergrad, came back for graduate school, and I haven’t left since. And to be honest, I have no plans to.
Q: When you were in high school, what were your favorite subjects?
Cara: Anything math or science. I was a total nerd. I loved the logical structure of it—how you could build knowledge to arrive at an answer. That shaped how I thought about what to do next
Q: Did you always know what career path you wanted to take?
Cara: Not at all. I knew I liked math and science, and back then, the only careers I was aware of that aligned with those interests were engineering and medicine. So, I applied to colleges that had both options. I actually started college as a biological engineering major on the pre-med track, thinking I’d become a doctor.
Q: But things changed. What happened?
Cara: I did a short internship at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, and I quickly realized medicine wasn’t the right path for me. It was emotionally intense, and I just knew I couldn’t do that every day. I had this moment of, “Okay… now what?”
Q: So, what did you do next?
Cara: I started exploring. I spoke with professors and explored various departments. And I remember seeing a herbicide interaction in one of my engineering classes—that was the first time I realized I could apply my skills to agriculture. Growing up, I never saw myself in ag. I wasn’t in FFA. I didn’t drive a tractor to school. But I realized agriculture needs people who love math and science, and I found my place there.
Q: Where did that path lead you?
Cara: It led me right here—to Corteva Agriscience. I interned with them between my junior and senior year of college. Fun fact: I got rejected the first time I applied. But I applied again, got in, and by the end of the summer, I told my supervisor, “I want to be you when I grow up. What do I need to do?” He told me to get a PhD—so that’s what I did.
Q: Tell us about your role today. What do you do at Corteva?
Cara: I’m a Herbicide Biologist. Essentially, I help discover and develop new herbicide products that enable farmers to control weeds, allowing them to grow healthier crops. I perform lab work and greenhouse work, and I collaborate with teams worldwide. Some days I’m in a meeting with researchers in Indonesia; other days I’m troubleshooting weed issues just 30 minutes down the road.
Q: And all of this is happening right here in Indiana?
Cara: Yes! Corteva’s global headquarters are in Indianapolis, and it’s incredible to know that the work we’re doing here is impacting farmers all over the world. We even have greenhouses that replicate environments across continents—from cool European climates to hot and humid rice-growing conditions like in Asia.
Q: What excites you most about your job?
Cara: It’s the chance to make a difference—globally and locally. I’m married to a central Indiana farmer, and the idea that my work might help him do his job better keeps me going. Even if I only play a small part, that impact matters.
Q: What are some of the soft skills that have helped you succeed?
Cara: I’d say:
- Passion: People can feel it when you care about the work and the people you work with.
- Relationship-building: It’s less about formal networking events and more about genuine curiosity. Ask questions. Get to know people. You never know where a conversation might lead.
- Being willing to do the hard stuff: If you see a problem, fix it—even if it’s the annoying part of the project. People notice when you make things easier for others.
Q: You’ve lived all over, but you’ve stayed connected to Indiana. Why?
Cara: I love representing Indiana. When I was at Cornell, people didn’t even know where Indiana was. But I found myself constantly advocating for how great this state is. Now, leading a team where most members aren’t from Indiana, I still do the same – pointing them to state parks, kayaking spots, and local concert venues. There’s so much here, and I want people to see it.
Q: What advice would you give to someone trying to figure out what’s next?
Cara: Be okay with not knowing. There were so many points in my journey where I didn’t have it figured out—and that’s normal. Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s where growth happens.
Also, don’t be afraid to do the research. Reach out to people. Listen to podcasts. Google career paths. One tip I like? Flip a coin when you’re making a tough decision—your gut reaction to the result usually tells you what you want.
Q: Any final words for those trying to build a career they love?
Cara: You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to explore, ask questions, and take the next step. I never imagined this would be my path, but by staying curious, being intentional, and trusting the process, I found a career I truly love.
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