Lincoln, Neb. —On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 180 students from 14 panhandle high schools converged at the Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center (PREEC) for the annual Career Day event that was organized by the Scottsbluff Gering United Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee and lunch was provided by Platte Valley Bank and the Scottsbluff Gering United Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee.
The purpose of the event is to bring high school students together and teach them about the wide variety of career opportunities within the agriculture industry. They also got to explore the different career pathways while having the opportunity to start mapping out their own.
"Agriculture employs more people than any other industry in Nebraska. This event gives students the chance to hear from people in a variety of careers including some more non-traditional paths such as becoming a water law attorney, technology developer, and professional farm manager,” said Jessica Groskopf, Extension Educator, PREEC. “This is a unique chance for students to think about many different careers in agriculture, not just becoming a farmer or a rancher.”
The event was kicked off by keynote speaker, Jaclyn Wilson, Flying Diamond Beef who spoke about being an Ag-vocate and promoting the agriculture industry. After the opening session, students were able to attend 4 sessions of their choice.
Thirty agriculture professionals in the community covered a wide range of topics during the sessions such as conventional production, technology in agriculture, feedlot and livestock production, ag education & extension, agronomy, ag sales, finance & banking, veterinary & animal science, and water & natural resources. Besides hearing from the community professionals, students had the opportunity to visit with six college representatives from the area and 21st Century during one of their four sessions. They learned about college programs and career opportunities.
“Having events like Career Day at the Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center is exciting, and it is encouraging to see such strong interest in agriculture careers,” said John Westra, Director of the Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center. “The future of agriculture looks bright, and we are honored to be partners with the next generation’s future.”