Grape breeder
Dr. Peter Cousins spent much of his childhood caring for tomatoes on his parent’s farm; it was here that he first gained the context of agriculture. Once he graduated high school, he attended a community college in Modesto, CA to study Agriculture and Horticulture. During this time period, Cousins was interested in animal breeding and joined both the national FFA organization and 4-H club at his school. Additionally, he raised rabbits and sheep as show animals. After attaining his degree, he transferred to Stanford University in order to study biological sciences. With no botany degree available to him, he took all of the classes he could to create his own botany track. During this time, he was mentored by a herbarium curator which led to his decision to pursue higher education after graduation.
Peter Cousins then attended the University of California, Davis to acquire a doctorate degree of Genetics in the department of viticulture and enology. Here he experienced his first career focusing moment. Through his rotations in graduate school he learned what he was interested in and what he disliked. This is when he learned he was truly interested in genetics. While attending UC Davis, he studied grape breeding and grape genetics for the first time. After obtaining his degree, Cousins attained a job as a research scientist for the USDA at Cornell University. He created his own position researching root systems of grapes by integrating his prior knowledge of grape breeding and genetics. His work involved grafting different varieties of grapes to get desirable characteristics. He held this position for thirteen years and was then able to transfer his foundation in grape breeding to his new position at E. & J. Gallo Winery.
His position at the winery is seasonal. In the winter months he spends time at his desk analyzing data and planning. On the other hand, in the summers he is out in the vineyard working with the grapes. He also said that his position required many hours during certain times of the year because of how sensitive it is to the seasons. However, he says that he has the flexibility he needs to perform all extra necessities in life and is highly rewarded by the success of his work. The second career deciding moment he experienced was when he was offered a job as a citrus breeder. He says he could not get himself to leave grapes. He did not want to lose the investment he made in the system work of grapes.
Larsen, Medina-Yerena
His advice for finding a future career is to complete an internship in a setting that will allow you to learn what it's like to be integrated into that environment. He stated, “You are responsible for your own satisfaction,” so we should learn what is right for us. Additionally he says to, “Treat your job like it's the last job you'll ever have.” In this position he does not get to teach as he did at Cornell, but he still has mentor relationships with his interns. This is a role he values very much.
Authors: Diana Medina-Yerena and Haley Larsen
Peter Cousins then attended the University of California, Davis to acquire a doctorate degree of Genetics in the department of viticulture and enology. Here he experienced his first career focusing moment. Through his rotations in graduate school he learned what he was interested in and what he disliked. This is when he learned he was truly interested in genetics. While attending UC Davis, he studied grape breeding and grape genetics for the first time. After obtaining his degree, Cousins attained a job as a research scientist for the USDA at Cornell University. He created his own position researching root systems of grapes by integrating his prior knowledge of grape breeding and genetics. His work involved grafting different varieties of grapes to get desirable characteristics. He held this position for thirteen years and was then able to transfer his foundation in grape breeding to his new position at E. & J. Gallo Winery.
His position at the winery is seasonal. In the winter months he spends time at his desk analyzing data and planning. On the other hand, in the summers he is out in the vineyard working with the grapes. He also said that his position required many hours during certain times of the year because of how sensitive it is to the seasons. However, he says that he has the flexibility he needs to perform all extra necessities in life and is highly rewarded by the success of his work. The second career deciding moment he experienced was when he was offered a job as a citrus breeder. He says he could not get himself to leave grapes. He did not want to lose the investment he made in the system work of grapes.
Larsen, Medina-Yerena
His advice for finding a future career is to complete an internship in a setting that will allow you to learn what it's like to be integrated into that environment. He stated, “You are responsible for your own satisfaction,” so we should learn what is right for us. Additionally he says to, “Treat your job like it's the last job you'll ever have.” In this position he does not get to teach as he did at Cornell, but he still has mentor relationships with his interns. This is a role he values very much.
Authors: Diana Medina-Yerena and Haley Larsen