When Cara McCauley was growing up in rural Crawfordsville, Indiana, she had a passion for math and science. Still, she never imagined she’d build a global research career helping farmers all over the world—from a greenhouse in Indianapolis.
“I was a total nerd,” she laughs. “I loved anything with logic—math, science, problem-solving. I just didn’t know what careers were out there beyond becoming a doctor or engineer.”
Today, she’s a Herbicide Biologist at Corteva Agriscience, a global agricultural company headquartered on the northwest side of Indianapolis. In her role, she works in high-tech labs and programmable greenhouses that replicate growing conditions worldwide, from Indiana cornfields to Southeast Asian rice farms.
But her path wasn’t always clear—and that’s precisely what makes her story so valuable to anyone trying to figure out what’s next.
From Pre-Med to Crop Science: How Curiosity Changed the Plan
Cara started college studying biological engineering and preparing for medical school. But a hospital internship changed everything.
“I realized that being a doctor wasn’t for me. It was emotionally heavy, and I just didn’t see myself doing that every day,” she says. “It was scary to walk away from the plan I had built.”
That pivot led her to explore other options, and one classroom moment sparked a new idea.
“In one of my engineering courses, we looked at how a herbicide interacted at a target site,” she says. “I grew up around agriculture, but that was the first time I realized I could apply science and problem-solving to agriculture in a meaningful way.”
She began networking with professors, exploring plant science, and eventually landed an internship with Corteva. The first time she applied, she was rejected—but she applied again, got in, and was hooked.
“I told my supervisor, ‘I want to be you when I grow up. What do I need to do?’” she recalls. “He said, ‘Get a PhD,’ so that’s what I did.”
A Career of Real-World Impact, Right in Indiana
Now, Cara works with a team of researchers to develop new herbicides, products that help farmers protect their crops from weeds and environmental stress.
“I work on agriculture’s top problems today—and try to anticipate what they’ll be ten years from now,” she says. “If I can be a small part of making it easier for someone like my husband, who’s a central Indiana farmer—that means a lot.”
Her office spans laboratories, greenhouse facilities, and occasionally, fields just 30 minutes up the road. One day, she’s troubleshooting soybean weed control for Indiana farmers. Next, she’s on an early morning call with a team in Indonesia.
“Corteva is headquartered here, but the work we do is global,” she says. “And it all starts right here in Indiana.”
What Makes a Career Work? Cara’s Top Advice
For people looking to start—or jumpstart—their careers, especially in science, innovation, or agriculture, Cara shares three powerful lessons:
- Be willing to do the complex work others avoid.
“Find the task no one wants to do—and do it really well,” she says. “People notice when you make their lives easier. That’s where trust and opportunity come from.”
- Learn to be comfortable with discomfort.
“There were many nights I cried, not knowing what to do next,” she admits. “But growth happens in that space. If you don’t know the answer, that’s okay—just stay curious and keep exploring.”
- Invest in relationships, not just resumes.
“Networking doesn’t have to mean awkward events and name tags. It’s about genuine relationship-building,” she says. “Ask questions. Be curious. My first internship came through my mom’s boss’s cousin. You never know where the right connection might come from.”
Indiana Roots
Though she left the state for undergrad, Cara always found her way back to Indiana—and now she’s one of its biggest champions.
“When I was at Cornell, people didn’t even know where Indiana was. I was always advocating for it—talking about our state parks, the amazing people, the industry opportunities,” she says. “Now I lead a team of 14 researchers, and only two are from Indiana. I still find myself encouraging them to explore the state.”
Whether she’s sharing kayaking tips, hidden concert venues, or job opportunities in ag-tech, Cara believes Indiana is the kind of place where you can build both a life and a legacy.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out,” she says. “But if you’re passionate, willing to do the work, and open to possibility, you can build a career you love—right here in Indiana.”
Ready to explore your future in science, innovation, or agriculture? Find the tools and inspiration to get started at See Yourself IN.