A Thankful Wildcat

This statement was taken from the University of Mount Union's blog &
couldn't be more true.

This week many students across campus are heading home for the holiday break, and the holiday season itself has really made me think about everything that I am grateful for. My college experience is definitely such a blessing- and what has made it so special- in particular, is my time in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky. Agriculture has always been a passion of mine, and for every question and passion that I have had related to agriculture, I have found a class or an organization that helps me further explore my interests in agriculture. So during this time of thanksgiving, I’d like to go through a few of the reasons why I chose the College of Ag at UK, and the many things that I am grateful for within UK Ag.  

When I began applying to colleges I had a rather large list of things I wanted to have- a great academic program, opportunities for jobs, the opportunity to meet new people in social outlets, hands-on-experience within my program, and a great campus. After visiting UK’s College of Agriculture, and attending the college for about two years now, I realize that everything I could have wanted in a college is right here. I am thankful for small class sizes where the professor knows my name and I know I can talk to them any time. I am thankful for a hands-on program with a fantastic farm that I can access for labs and to further extend my knowledge of agriculture. I am thankful for the numerous clubs and activities within the College of Agriculture that allow for me to meet other people within the college of agriculture, and enjoy my time in college. I am grateful for the professors who teach the classes within the college of agriculture; who are knowledgeable about the subjects they teach and want to help students succeed. I am thankful for the jobs and internships that the College of Agriculture attracts everyday that will help me secure a job after I graduate and prepare for my future endeavors. I am thankful for my advisor, who meets with me every semester to make sure I am on track with my classes and offers helpful suggestions to continue to support me in my journey through college.

Overall, there’s a lot to be thankful for in life- family, friends, and for me, my education at the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture. I hope during this holiday season that you will enjoy being around family and friends, and take time to think about what you are thankful for. If you are preparing for college, it may also be a time to really consider what you are looking for in your college experience, and what you want to one day be thankful for. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope to see you soon here at UK!

 

Veronica is a junior majoring in Equine Science & Management.  She is from Annapolis, Maryland.   She is a Resident Advisor with UK Housing and an Ag Ambassador.

Internships: That Extra Push

Internships. This word can bring many emotions:  excitement, uncertainness, and anxiety. 

With today’s job market becoming more and more competitive, having an internship on your resume can give you the extra push you may need to land that dream job.  Some people also get the benefit of working for the company they interned with. The best way to start looking for internships is to attend a career fair, just like the one coming up this month at Good Barn. (Note: The UK Ag Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, October 23 from 12 Noon- 4 PM at the E.S. Good Barn.)  Companies come prepared to look for possible interns when they visit college campuses and the representatives are great sources of information. Not only can they tell you about the company, but they can also tell you how they themselves got their current jobs. 

The next place to look is your inbox. The Office of Academic Programs and Advising Resource Center send out numerous emails about companies looking for interns, extension opportunities, and job openings. The UK Career Center also sends out notices.  Some days, I see these emails and they head straight for the trash! (Which I’m sure most of us have been guilty of doing) So, on my search for internships for this upcoming summer, I have been paying more attention to my inbox. Want to get a lot of different intern options? Your advisor and professors are another great resource! They have made connections not only while they were job searching, but also while they have been working for the University! 

Now that you have all of these different intern options, it is time to narrow your search. My personal goal is to have my top internships picked out by Thanksgiving and I will apply to them by Christmas, but you can apply all throughout the spring semester too! Just make sure you know the deadlines to your top picks.  

 I have a few main things I look for while searching for internships. This first is the job type. I would love to do public relations or marketing for an agriculture company. I really enjoy working with people and would love the opportunity to work with producers across the state or country. The second thing I look for is location. I would like to either work for a company within the state of Kentucky or work out West. Getting to explore the area and learn about the people would be half the fun! What company I will be working for is another selling point. I would like to work for John Deere, Monsanto, or Syngenta, but my options are always open. Lastly, I look at whether or not it is paid. Yes, this is point some students forget until they have already gone through the application process. If you are looking for your internship to also be your summer job, make sure you read the fine print. 

Remember to breathe and don’t forget that everyone in the College of Agriculture is here to help you on your search to find an internship you will love! 

 Kellie is studying Agricultural Economics.  She is from Hodgensville, KY.  She is involved in UK Ag Student Council, Agribusiness Club, and is an Ag Ambassador.