CALS Ambassadors Want You!

The due date for CALS Ambassador applications is quickly approaching! Some students might be on the fence as to whether or not they wish to apply. One of my favorite questions I get asked is, “Seems like a lot of work. What can I get out of this program?” My answer is always the same. The program is what you make it. However, being an ambassador is more rewarding than you could ever imagine.

One of my favorite things about being an ambassador is all of the traveling opportunities. On a weekly basis we have the opportunity to travel all over the state of Florida for different events. Whether it be the Ag Hall of Fame dinner at the  Tampa State Fair, a classroom presentation in Miami, or a FFA COLT Conference in the panhandle. There are also opportunities to travel nationally. Ambassadors have attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, the Agriculture Future of America conference in Kansas City, and a national ambassador leadership conference in Arizona. Finally, ambassadors have the opportunity to travel to a foreign country during the summer for credit hours. This year our team will be flying down to Brazil!

I personally attended the conference in Kansas City and it opened so many doors for my future. The main focus of the conference was how to be a better leader within the various agriculture industries. During the conference they had a career fair with employers who were ready to hire on the spot. Later the same day there were break out groups with the same companies where they talked about what they were looking for in their employees along with anything else we wanted to know about the companies. Companies want to hire students from these conferences because they know these students are top notch and highly motivated. Of course these conferences are not just all work in no play. Those who flew to Arizona were able to tour many farms and see the Grand Canyon.  Not to mention you are able to network with other students from around the country and make lifetime friendships.

Speaking of networking, how many College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students personally know their deans? As an ambassador for CALS, students get to know the deans of the college on a more personal level. CALS deans are approachable, have passion for their jobs and really care about the students. Networking is huge in the agricultural industry and I have been given more opportunities to meet our industry leaders through the ambassador program. The one thing I always enjoy talking to them about is how they became successful and what obstacles they had to overcome to be where they are today. Many times it is these industry leaders who give the best advice and are most supportive of your ambitions.

The most rewarding part of being an ambassador is making an impact on the lives on middle and high school students. At that age students have a multitude a questions and it is less intimidating to talk to someone closer to their age who they can relate with. I wish that when I was their age I had been able to talk to someone who was already in my desired program. I believe it would have put my mind at ease and made for a smoother transition.

I could go on and on about why I love being an ambassador for CALS, but the three reasons above are the most important to me. Over the past year I have had the privilege to build friendships with ambassadors who have different majors within the college. Giving me a greater insight and appreciation to the diversity of our college.  Joining the ambassador family was one of the greatest decisions I have made in my undergraduate career. 

Rebecca Lee
Class: Senior
Hometown: Oviedo, Florida
Major: Agricultural Operations Management
Specialization: Animal Production Management
Minor: Management and Sales in Agribusiness
Involvement: Gator Colligate Cattlewomen Vice President, Agricultural Operations Management Club Vice President, Block and Bridle
Hobbies: spending time with family and working on the family cow/calf operation.
After College: Plans to pursue a master’s degree in Agribusiness and serve the beef industry as a sales representative.

The Balancing Act

Tuesday

February 19, 2013

9:22pm

            I’m sitting in a co-workers living room with a few friends and Florida/Missouri basketball game is on in the background. While some are fully immersed in the semi-competitive basketball game, the rest are preparing for next week’s midterm exams. International Trade Policy, Chemistry and The Meat We Eat: These are the topics discussed amongst us students. Occasionally, one of us will look up from our textbook and check the score of the game; or, stop to calculate the grade necessary to earn an A in the course. Just a few days ago, we were all lucky enough to share our Valentine’s Day together, at work: Happy Holidays.

As a young and slowly-maturing adult, I’ve learned that it’s not easy giving up holidays - It’s a precious luxury I’ve always been granted (Thanks Mom and Dad!). But, as a self-sustaining student providing for myself, I have quickly realized that the real world does not always allow the luxury of holidays. It’s not easy learning how to balance a 20-40 hour work week with a full 12-15 credit semester but, with enough will power (and effective time management skills) this “hurdle” can be overcome.

For me, it took several “hard lessons” to learn how balance work, active participation in multiple clubs, job interviews, applying for internships, researching grad school programs, practicing and performing with my band, a small amount of social-life and Oh Yeah! my 12 credit semester of senior-level capstone courses. After numerous “hard lessons”, I’ve picked up a few helpful tips:

-Study effectively!

            When studying, don’t just sit at a desk with energy drinks and your text book open for 10 hours straight- It doesn’t work! Make sure you learn to take food/exercise breaks, switch topics every few hours, reference your textbook, lecture notes and classmates, and most importantly –DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!!

-Buy an outrageously large planner or wall calendar!

With some form of organizational device, you can physically see when and where you are obligated to be somewhere. This helps immensely on those days where you have class from 10:40am-11:35am, a meeting from 11:50am-12:35pm, a phone interview at 12:45pm, class again from 1:55pm-2:45pm, work from 4pm-10pm and then a group project session from 11pm-?. If your planner goes down to the quarter hours, that’s OK!

-Value your family and friends

            Your family and friends are there to keep you grounded. They constantly remind you that even though you have to calculate how many hours of sleep you get each week, you’re doing it as a means to an end. They are there to make you laugh when you’re sad, smile when you’re stressed and above all else, to celebrate at the end of every grueling semester conquered. 

-Value your own personal time (It will keep you sane)

This is a concept I did not fully grasp when I first started college. I assumed I was entitled to two hours of video games, a full workout, 3 square meals and as much guitar time as I could ask for every day of the week. Little did I know - that’s far from reality. I now realize the time I have to spend alone, working on myself, is very limited and cherished. I value it so much that I now schedule time to watch a movie, play guitar, or have a dinner with my friends. It’s the only way to keep myself remotely sane.

Fast Forward 12 hours….

It’s now 8:39am on Wednesday morning. I didn’t arrive to the computer lab until 8am today – a little later than I planned. Luckily, I was able to persuade my boss into letting me have the evening off work to prepare for my exam tomorrow. At least now I will have the whole night to brush up on any details I’ve over looked. Tomorrow, my exam isn’t until 1:55pm but, I have to be on campus at 9am to help set-up for an CALS Ambassador event. If I wake up at 7am I should have enough time to eat breakfast, pack my lunch and travel to my event. Oh Yeah! I have to work at 5pm tomorrow. I need to remember to pack an extra sandwich to eat.

            “Siri- set a reminder for tomorrow at 7:30am to pack an extra-large lunch”.

As I said earlier, it isn’t easy learning to balance school, work and extra-curricular activities. But, with proper planning, it is a very feasible task to overcome.

As you learn to effectively juggle all of these tasks, you realize there is nothing more rewarding than doing so. You learn to truly appreciate the quality time you have with your friends and family; you learn how good it feels to earn a high-mark on an exam you took the time to prepare for; you learn the joy of hosting an event that your club has been planning all semester; and more important than any other lesson, you learn value of work hard.

My name is Bernie Green and I am a proud, self-sustaining student-worker. I hope this blog can give a slight taste of how difficult it is balance a full-time school load, a near full-time work week, active participation in multiple organizations and a local band, and maintaining some mutated form of a social-life. Above all of that, I hope this blog can convey just how gratifying it is to balance this life-style knowing that everything you’re doing is working towards a final goal. I whole-hearted embrace this life-style and love every moment of it.

Now that it’s already 9:30am, I have to go to the library to read over my notes before my 10:40am class. I must make sure I’m prepared for both of next week’s exams, that way I won’t feel guilty about going home over spring break holiday for 4 days. For everyone that has walked in my shoes, congratulations – you made it - and for anyone who is afraid to do it, don’t be. It’s an exhilarating experience that pays back more than you realize when doing it.

-Bernie Green 

Bernie Green
Class: Senior
Hometown: Naples, Fl
Major: Food and Resource Economics
Specialization: International Food and Resource Economics
Minor: International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
Involvement: Ag. Econ Club Vice President of Member Relations
Hobbies: Cooking, Reading, Multi-instrumentalist; Member of "Project Chili" a Red Hot Chili Pepper tribute band
Post-Graduation: I hope to enter graduate school, obtaining a Master's Degree in International Development Economics, and then I hope to see the world! 

Career Expo: On the Hunt

 Rabo AgriFinance, Syngenta, Monsanto, Cal-Maine Foods, Dow Agrosciences, Masa Israel Journey…

What are these?!  What does this mean? Is JW showing off his fluency in some sort of obscure foreign language or tribal tongue?  Unfortunately, no, despite how much I wish I was bilingual.  However, a certain group of students who participated in the CALS Career Expo last Wednesday know exactly what I’m talking about.

This is just a sample of the 40 employers and graduate programs represented at the 2013 CALS Careers Expo on February 13.  Located in the Reitz Union Ballroom was a diverse showcase of graduate schools, government agencies, and companies, both big and small.  The graduate programs on hand included the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Levin College of Law, and numerous Master’s and Ph.D. programs within CALS.  There were even some recruiters with a primary interest in volunteers, such as Girl’s Place and Haven Hospice.  Despite the wide ranging spectrum of the representatives present, all came with the same objective in mind: to recruit the brightest and most talented students at the University of Florida, who happen to be in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences!  

The CALS Ambassador team was on hand all day to help facilitate the event for the recruiters and students.   CALS students came dressed for success and prepared to sell themselves, steadily flowing into the Expo and providing recruiters with fresh faces to engage and interact with.  In talking with both students and recruiters after the event, each group seemed thoroughly impressed with the other.  Students raved about the direct interaction with industry representatives, the diverse pool of recruiters, and the convenience of the time, location, and access of the event.  In turn, recruiters were also impressed with the professionalism, preparedness, and curiosity of the participating students.  Needless to say, it was an awesome time!

Now…why weren’t you at the Expo?  Excuses not good enough include, but are not limited to:

-          Sleeping in

-          Alarm clock didn’t go off

-          “Don’t feel like going”

-          “I already have my entire life planned out”

-          Procrastination on coursework

-          Dog ate your resume (or any pet, for that matter)

-          Obscure religious holiday from some unheard-of religion

-          Your fortune teller advised against it

-          Any other absurd excuse that doesn’t seem realistic or foreseeable

As a College, we are extremely fortunate to have the resources to host an annual career showcase tailored to the needs and interests of our students.  In the future, don’t pass up the opportunity to interact with these representatives!  It is never too early (or late) to begin cultivating that relationship with a potential employer.  Furthermore, I would urge you to not even wait for these events to contact an employer or graduate program of interest to introduce yourself and find out what they’re looking for in you.

Finally, a big shout out to Mrs. Cathy Carr, Director of Alumni and Career Services, and Melissa Redden for once again preparing, planning, promoting, and coordinating such a successful event.  

“It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.”

-          Theodore Roosevelt

Go Gators!

John-Walt

John-Walt Boatright

Class: Senior

Hometown: Live Oak, Florida

Major: Food and Resource Economics
Minor: Agricultural and Natural Resource Law

Specialization: International Food and Resource Economics
Involvement: Member and immediate past VP of Industry Relations, Agricultural Economics Club; Food and Resource Economics Diplomat; Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society

After College: Plans to attend law school and specialize in agriculturally related issues in the North Florida area