From Student to Staff: Emma Waterhouse’s Journey of Innovation at Start Something CALS
From Northeast Iowa to the heart of campus innovation, Emma Waterhouse has transformed her experience as a student into a meaningful career as the Special Projects Assistant for Start Something CALS. Emma arrived at Iowa State in the fall of 2019 and graduated in December 2021 with a degree in Agricultural Business, but her path took an unexpected turn when she enrolled in Kevin Kimle’s Econ classes. What began as an interest in economics that stretched beyond math quickly grew into a passion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and real-world problem solving. Through courses like Econ 2340 and her internship with Mitchell Hora, Emma gained firsthand exposure to the entrepreneurial side of agriculture. Returning to campus for Econ 3340, she stepped into a student employee role that laid the foundation for the work she does today.
Emma credits much of her growth to the influence of Kevin Kimle, whom she describes as “the most influential person I’ve ever met.” His ability to connect students to powerful ideas, and powerful people, left a lasting impact on her personal and professional life. As graduation approached, Emma explored options at the Career Fair but struggled to find something that felt right. Wanting to stay in Ames, she accepted a temporary position with Start Something CALS in January 2022, and by April, her role had transitioned into the full-time Special Projects Assistant position she now thrives in.
No two days look the same for Emma. Her work is rooted in creativity, collaboration, and designing meaningful student experiences. From brainstorming new programs to planning unique opportunities, like hosting groups of Brazilian agribusiness visitors, Emma’s role allows her to combine organization, innovation, and adventure. She takes pride in projects such as coordinating the Start Up Tour, building cross-campus collaborations like the Innovation Prize, and helping bring Awards Night to life each year. What she appreciates most is how Start Something CALS fosters an “individualized” culture, meeting students where they are and helping them grow through intentional support, 1-on-1 guidance, and exposure to diverse career paths.
Emma believes programs like Start Something CALS help students discover their passions by connecting them with entrepreneurs, emerging technologies, and real-world experiences. Her advice to any student considering getting involved is simple: “Meet with Kevin. No matter where you are in your college career, he can open doors in ways you don’t expect. Entrepreneurship and innovation do not discriminate, it’s for everyone.” Emma’s journey from student to staff is a true reflection of what Start Something CALS represents: opportunity, creativity, and the power of saying yes to what inspires you.