Some people live life in search of something. They’re not sure what, but they’ll know it when they find it.
El Dorado alum Austin Brown didn’t enter college looking to be Manager of Sustainability for Riceland Foods Inc. in central Arkansas. But, for a career choice, it was a pretty good find.
Brown graduated from El Dorado in 2008 before going to Harding University as a soccer player. He graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science.
“I went in as a freshman unsure of what I wanted to do but chose Exercise Science because it aligned with my strengths and interests,” said Brown.
His career, from there, took a couple of turns.
“As far as my career path I would say it’s fairly unique,” he said. “Soccer was my passion in high school and college, so naturally I thought coaching was the career for me. I was fortunate to end up at the University of Mobile where we played in three national tournaments and won two conference championships. After coaching in the college game as grad assistant at Harding for two years and assistant coach in Mobile, Alabama for thee years, I decided to pursue other opportunities. I took a different career path and accepted a job at SSAB in the steel industry and I worked there the last three years. My wife (Ali) and I just moved back to Arkansas in April to take an opportunity at Riceland Foods.”
Brown described his job as manager of sustainability as: “Create value for Riceland and its farmer members by promoting the adoption of sustainable farming and milling practices; Help Riceland focus efforts on reducing its carbon footprint, maximizing efficiencies and reducing the consumption of natural resources.”
It sounds like a career that’s a far departure from soccer, a sport he was devoted to as a young man. Looking back on his college athletic career, Brown said even it was far from routine.
“My career at Harding was about like my career path, a little unique. I walked on to the program as a freshman and didn’t have high expectations to get to play as much as I did. I eventually earned a scholarship and was selected as the team captain for my final two years at Harding,” he said. “My freshman and senior seasons we made conference tournament runs but eventually came up short.”
“Harding men’s soccer has come a long way in the last 10 years and I’m glad I was able to be a part of the growth as a player and graduate assistant,” he added.
Life as a student-athlete also prepared Brown for his professional career. Learning how to focus and manage time are useful skills in most any endeavor.
“Balancing athletics and academics can be challenging at the college level, but it was something I figured out early in my career. Being well rounded in athletics and academics was very important to me and has helped me to land where I am at today,” he said. “After my career at Harding I was fortunate enough to play for three seasons in the Premier Development League/USL 2 (Lower level Minor League). I played one season in Houston, Texas and two seasons in Jackson, Mississippi, along with being invited to the USL combine. All of these helped open some doors which led me to my first collegiate assistant coaching job in Mobile, Alabama.”
As for his future plans, with Brown, every option is a viable one. He believes each experience can lead to the next opportunity.
“I have a lot of experience in some very different career paths and each of those have helped me end up in a great position at Riceland Foods Inc,” he said. “Being well rounded is something I have always valued, and I believe it has played a big role in ending up here today.”