Go Big Red...?

My purple and red are clashing.

Yesterday seemed like a whirlwind. In the morning we had 50 FFA students for Montana stop in. They are on there way to the Annual FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, and are making some agriculture stops along the way. In the afternoon we had a group of Agricultural Communications and Journalism (ACJ) students from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, drop in, as part of Livestock Publication Council's Office Bombardment month.

I really enjoyed talking to the ACJ students, as I remember that it wasn't that long ago that I was in their position. And I truly believe that I am where I am now because of the networking I did with industry people, other students and making sure that my teachers knew the path that I wanted to take. Whenever, I talk to student groups there are a couple things I like to tell them:

1. Make your boss look good. If he/she looks good then the whole group looks good and that leads to more success and opportunities for everyone. Best piece of career advice I ever got.

2. Don't be afraid of hard work. There is no such thing as an eight-to-five job. Put in the time and effort and you will be rewarded. Yes, I haven't left the office before seven this week, but I know that in a few weeks, I'll have an all expenses paid trip to Louisville for our Annual meeting and show, and that's when I will be able to let loose and have a little fun.

3. Understand social/new media - I wasn't taught enough of this when I was in school. Take as many classes on social trends, website development, how to blog or create a podcast, video production. The more skills you have in your toolbox the more valuable you will be to your company.

And finally, back to the Go Big Red comment. The UNL students gave me this very pretty red mug as a gift for spending my Tuesday afternoon with them. It's a pretty neat mug - made from 100% U.S. Corn Plastic - of course. However, I am a pretty big K-State fan, and not real fond of Nebraska football, so I'll just have remind anyone that give me any grief that this is to show my support toward agriculture students, and not towards any other Big Red activities!

Giving Back Part II

My judging team...

Livestock judging was a huge part of my life growing up. It is one of the main reasons why I decided to attend college at Butler Community College and then K-State, and ever since it has continued to open doors for me. 

I know that it took thousands of dollars to provide my teammates and I scholarships, transportation, meals, etc., so we could travel the country learning more about livestock and the industry. Now, that I am a graduate of this program I feel that it is important for me to give back. As I mentioned in my previous blog posting Giving Back I mentioned that I was not going to be able to attend my Alumni Judging Banquet so I sent a wine basket instead. Well the results are in my basket bought $110! In all the silent auction had 12 items and they raised $1,900 for our judging teams at K-State! I am going to continue to challenge to post or email me how you are giving back to causes that are important to you.

And on a side note - ANOTHER JUDGING TEAM WEDDING! So I have heard through the grapevine that my judging teammate, from Butler and K-State, Brett Crow is getting married. Brett was fondly nicknamed the Alabama Slammer during college. I need to call him tonight to get all the details. I haven't met his new fiance, but I can't wait to meet her! Just another addition to the family.

Giving back.

A proud K-State Alumnus... 

It has now been one year and four months since I left one of my favorite places on earth - Kansas State University! The people at K-State became my family for the two and half years that I spent there, and I still return often. While at K-State I had the opportunity to be apart of the 2006 Livestock Judging Team. My teammates are some of my closest friends. That school really helped me become the person who I am. 

Now that I am an alumni (actually the appropriate term would be alumna) I have really wanted to give back to my alma mater. I don't have a ton a cash funds to be handed over, but what I do have are skills, connections and time (not as much as I would like though!) My friends always give me a hard time about going from a recent graduate to a 60-year-old alumni because of my crazy support. I think some of it had to do with my request for K-State car flags for my birthday!

My first contribution this year was a video for the K-State Legacy Bull Sale. Last year, I saw that Penn State did a video for their student run sale. I thought K-State needed one and I would do it better! The video was a huge success. In the three weeks before the sale the video had more than 900 views. The video now has more than 1,100 hits! Then I renewed my alumni membership to K-State. It is a simple way to stay involved. After that I was able to give back during K-State's annual Telefund. That phone call made me feel old, because I remember calling other alumni asking for funds. I knew that I couldn't give a lot, but I wrote my $20 to the Livestock and Meat Industry Council fund, a fund that supports our judging teams. This weekend is the Alumni Judging Banquet. I would really like to attend, but I will be a sale that day and then headed down to Stillwater, OK. So in my place I am sending a little wine basket for their silent auction. 

Bottom line, we can all do something to help. Whether it is a couple dollars or half an hour of your time. Maybe it is even talking to prospect students and encouraging them to attend you alma mater. We all took something away from the places that we went to school and the organizations we were active in. Maybe there is some cause that is close to you heart. I know my good friend Kelsey Fraiser has recently blogged about her support of Relay for Life. In the next six months I am encouraging you to let me know how you have given back. Leave me a comment, give me a call or send me an email and I will let everyone know how were doing. During the next six months we'll review how we're all doing. If we want change we have to be leaders and start to make a difference. Can't wait to hear from you!