Agriculture—the Future of America

Later this week, Kansas City will open its doors to young agriculturists from across the Midwest for the networking experience of a lifetime! I am so excited for the AFA Leadership Conference (Agriculture Future of America) which is going to have a whole different dimension for me this year. As an ambassador for the University of Missouri, I get to go in a day early and help with the whole setup and organization before the start of the conference.

This past summer, I applied to be a campus ambassador for MU because I really enjoyed my experiences at AFA last summer. Whether it was an etiquette dinner of six courses, learning good planning skills with the Franklin Covey system, or attending the career fair featuring hundreds of companies, AFA was awesome! I hadn’t run for the AFA Advisory Team because I had only been in Track 1 of the conference—and there were two other tracks I wanted to go through before I would feel prepared for that leadership position.

Being a campus ambassador was a happy medium. After applying and being accepted, my duties were to promote the AFA conference to all CAFNR students. I haven’t had the chance to promote the conference to the extent I originally wanted, but that has not put a damper on my enthusiasm for AFA. I will be traveling to Kansas City a day before AFA this week to help with the necessary preparations. I’m so excited!

I truly believe the future of America today is based in agriculture. Finding this love for me has been a difficult road… but at least I have found the road I’m meant to travel on. This week I get to share that with other young college students—and I can’t wait!

-Charlotte Jackson
Sophomore, Agricultural Education

For information about leadership and professional opportunities like AFA, visit CAFNR Career Services in Ag Building 2-64 today!

The Choice is Yours

College is much different than high school. Every homework assignment you do, every activity in which you participate, and every friend that you make is your choice. When it comes to college success, one important aspect is studying. Studying is quite an art—it takes motivation, learning how, when and where, and personal relationships with the professors to get the G.P.A. you desire. What you make of yourself—the choice is yours.

The most important part of studying it getting the motivation to actually go through with it. It takes intrinsic motivation to make sure you get all you wanted to finished by the deadline. No longer are your parents pushing you to move forward and take advantage of the opportunities presented—it is up to you. Due dates and homework assignments are all just a part of being a responsible college student.

Another aspect is that you have to learn how, when, and where the best place to study. I personally always study in my room at my desk—not on my bed or couch because I will fall asleep! I have found that my love for music does not allow me to study—instead I would rather sing along, so I have to shut it off. I also have to study for tests individually first—then with a group. It’s everything about studying and motivating yourself that each and every college student must learn.

Another key aspect of college success for me goes beyond studying. Each student should make a personal connection with their professors. It is essential to meet your professors so they know more than just your name. In some lectures that have 300 to 400 students, a face can just get lost in the crowd. If succeeding in class means something to you, then get to know the professors.
So, in order to be successful in college, one important aspect is studying. It is incredibly important to discover the motivation, learn how, when and where to study, and develop personal relationships with the professors to be the best you can in your college classes. Whatever you out of your college experience—the choice is yours.

-Charlotte Jackson
Sophomore, Agricultural Education

For guidance or help making this decision, come into see the friendly staff of CAFNR Career Services in Ag Building 2-64 today!

Eat Smarter

I can’t think of a better way to convince you to learn better manners than by encouraging you to attend the Career Services Dining Etiquette lesson.

Following my freshman year of college, I interned with Monsanto Company in St. Louis. Since there weren’t many other 19-year-olds at the corporate office, I spent most of my lunches and company dinners at a table with 50-something aged men.

You would think that considering the competition, I would be the most well poised person there. Not so. At company dinners, I spent most of my time agonizing over which utensil to pick up next and whether or not I was holding my napkin properly, rather than focusing on the valuable networking opportunities in front of me. My worst slip up was one day at lunch.

All the ole men were discussing Missouri wines and decided to be nice and include the intern. Knowing I went to school in Columbia, they asked if I was familiar with the winery near there. Well I wasn't, but it seemed I had heard of something called Boone's Farm. Since Columbia was in Boone County I decided this must be what they were talking about. They were of course talking about Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport. When I responded they just sort of stared at me and then quickly, and graciously, changed the subject. About six months later I saw a bottle of Boone's Farm at a gas station and realized my mistake. Boy was I embarrassed!

I’m not saying the etiquette lesson will teach you about wine, but knowing your way around a table setting couldn’t hurt anything.

-Taryn Dameron

Senior, Agricultural Journalism

Don't miss the Etiquette Dinner on Wednesday, November 5th from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit CAFNR Career Services in Ag Building 2-64 for sign-up today!