Green for the Journey

Each year the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources awards nearly $1 million in scholarship money to its students; now is your chance to apply for some of the green!  The scholarship application is now online and must be submitted by midnight, January 15, 2011.  By filling out  an application you will be considered for awards on both the college and departmental levels.  For more information or questions, please stop by 136 Ag Hall and talk to Mary Ellen.     

Six Weeks, Politics and $1000--Apply for an Internship

Grab your ticket to Washington D.C. next summer and make a difference with Congressman Frank Lucas. Juniors and Seniors should not pass up the opportunity to apply for the Frank D. Lucas Agricultural Policy Internship that enables students to work directly with the United States House of Representatives on agricultural policy issues for six weeks. Applications are due in 103 Ag Hall by Jan 10.

Students interested in applying for the Frank D. Lucas Agricultural Policy Internship should follow the following steps:

1.  If AGEC 3703 or AGEC 4703 has not been completed, enroll in either course to be completed during the Spring 2010 semester.
2. Develop a letter of interest and résumé for the internship position
3. Secure a copy of your most recent transcript.
4. Provide a written response of not more two type-written pages (12 point, double-spaced) to the following:

In preparing for the next farm bill debate, Congressman Lucas, currently the Minority leader of the House Agricultural Committee, is interested in the effectiveness of the ACRE and SURE programs in protecting farmers from large variations infarm revenue. In addition, he is interested in understanding how consistent these two programs are with crop insurance. Currently farmers have the option to enroll in ACRE or the DCP program, and/or elect crop insurance and be eligible for the SURE program. Some in Congress want to eliminate the DCP program. Broad disagreement on the effectiveness of ACRE and SURE exists among the various national farm and commodity groups. What information will you be able to obtain and where will you obtain information that summarizes the positions of the various national and Oklahoma groups? How can you best use your education at OSU and/or life experiences to assist Congressman Lucas in his deliberations?

5. Submit all application materials (letter, resume, transcript, and written response) to 103 Ag Hall before 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011. Candidates will be reviewed and the recipient will be notified.

NOTE: The recipient will be required to attend the annual College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Awards Banquet on Friday, April 1, 2011, during which he or she will be recognized as the recipient of the award.

Need guidance?

Are you curious what you will be doing after college? Have you thought about the endless opportunities the field of agriculture and natural resources can provide? If you are still sorting out your possibilities, we encourage you to enroll in the AG 1111 course in the spring. AG 1111 is taught by the CASNR Career Services Coordinator, Ms. Amy Gazaway. Course objectives include:

* Describe personal interests, skills, abilities, values, life roles, personality and decision-
  making style.
* Explain how personal interests, skills, abilities, values, life roles, personality and
  decision-making style impact career options and choices.
* Describe the career development cycle and identify their current status within that 
  cycle.
* Utilize a variety of sources and techniques to comprehensively research potential careers
  and employers.
* Describe the necessary qualifications/background, occupational areas and
  responsibilities, work environments, and potential employers related to input systems and
  output companies within the agriculture and natural resources industry.
* Explain the projected career growth areas in the agriculture and natural resources
  industries, as well as the demand for related graduates.
* Develop an academic and co-curricular experience plan for their undergraduate
  education that supports their career interests and goals.

Take a view of the syllabus here. Take charge of your career and enroll in this class!

Celebrate-New Graduate Style!

Graduating seniors-it is your time to be celebrated! The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources would like to invite you to the New Grad Celebration to show how proud of you we are. You will have an opportunity to meet with CASNR faculty and administrators as well as enter for a chance at some awesome door prizes and get your free gift from the staff in the Student Success Center. Refreshments will be provided so bring your appetite! This is also the place where you can fill out the Graduate Survey-all of this in 1 place! 

We are also pleased to announce that the OSU Alumni Association will be attending the event as will OSU Career Services. An update of any other University groups attending will be posted on here as soon as they come available. So, want the details?

When: December 6, 2010
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: CASNR lobby (in front of 103 Ag Hall)

For a list of other general graduation deadlines and information, visit http://registrar.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=18.

CASNR Career Week: iDream. iLearn. iSuceed

Join the CASNR career liaison team for a week full of career exploration, planning and development, by attending CASNR Career Week, Nov 29-Dec. 3; in addition qualify to win an Apple iPod Touch. As you attend the events listed below, your name will be entered into the drawing.

Career Week Personal Playlist Challenge
Monday, Nov. 29
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
103 Ag Hall

Start the CASNR Career Week on a good note a by stopping by CASNR’s Student Success Center in 103 Ag Hall for a little morning music, a donut, coffee and your copy of the Career Week Personal Playlist Challenge, a self-directed challenge designed for you to learn about yourself, define your future and create a plan of action.  

Be one of the first five CASNR students to complete and return the challenge, and you’ll receive a new set of earbuds. All CASNR students who return the challenge before 5:00 p.m. will be entered into the CASNR Career Week drawing for an Apple iPod Touch.

Shuffle Me Workshop Series
Tuesday, Nov. 30
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Noble Research Center Atrium
(workshops in 106 NRC, 107 NRC, 108 NRC and 207 NRC)

Be ready to learn quickly during the Shuffle Me Workshop Series, an evening of brief, 30-minute "how-to" workshops on the following topics:

• Graduate and professional school preparation panel
• Financial transitions: From Ramen Noodles to Filet Mignon
• How to explore careers for your major
• Convert your internship into a full-time job
• Surviving the first 90 days on the job
• Career Networking 
• Plan B for the Pre’s

All CASNR students who attend two workshops will be entered into the CASNR Career Week drawing for an Apple iPod Touch.

iContribute: The Role of Agriculture & Natural Resources in Solving Global Issues
Wednesday, Dec. 1
6:30 - 8 p.m.
106 NRC

Join CASNR Career Services and the Career Liaisons in welcoming representatives from various agriculture and natural resources industries to the OSU campus to share their knowledge and expertise about emerging technologies and the exciting potential for addressing global issues such as food demand, renewable energy needs and others. Panelists will also discuss workforce development needs related to current and future industry advancements. All CASNR students who attend iContribute will be entered into the CASNR Career Week drawing for an Apple iPod Touch.

Life's Applications Alumni Panel 
Thursday, Dec. 2
6:30 - 8 p.m. 
106 NRC

Welcome our young alumni back to campus to share their stories of Life Applications with you. Learn about the realities of the working world, the challenges of transitioning from student to professional, strategies for making a great impression and impact in your first job and/or internship, as well as suggestions for capitalizing on your opportunities to prepare for Life’s Applications while at OSU. All CASNR students who attend Life’s Applications will be entered into the CASNR Career Week drawing for an Apple iPod Touch

Drawing for Apple iPod Touch
Friday, Dec. 3

Apple iPod Touch drawing to be conducted on Friday, Dec 3. Multiple entries per student allowed according to Career Week event guidelines described above. Winner will be notified via OKEY e-mail before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.

Be a Noble Intern

Employers are continually looking for outstanding students to work as summer interns. One employer, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is offering paid internships for juniors and seniors in the following areas of expertise: animal science and livestock management, agricultural economics, agronomy, horticulture, range management, soils and crops, wildlife and fisheries.

Students interested in serving on a team of consultants and research scientists should apply online no later than Dec. 15. For more information pick up a brochure in the Student Success Center or contact Mary McMillan.

Fun and travel? Sign me up!

Haha. I would bet that most of you reading this blog thought it would be about study abroad programs...but I am talking about being a Student Success Leader!  The SSL info night will be November 10 from 6-7 PM in Room 201 Ag Hall.  The Student Success Leader team is a student peer education and mentoring group that is compiled of CASNR Ambassadors, F.I.T. S.A.M.s and Career Liasions.  These groups are leaders within the college that help recruit, retain and career inform CASNR students.  All of you interested in serving as a student leader, having fun, representing the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and traveling to experience other opportunites as well as strengthen leadership skills should come to the meeting and check it out!

Are you talking about Tennessee when you say Go Vol.?

College football season is in full swing! In one particular stadium, fans and those opposing hear the cry "Go Vols!"  While they are talking about the volunteers in the football stadium, the Cowboys are going to be doing their own volunteering.  The annual event, Into the Streets, kicks off on November 13th at 9 AM at the Cordell parking lot.  The event will end around 4 PM. 

Into the Streets is a community service project that allows students to show thanks to the city of Stillwater through preforming odd and end jobs for community members that have signed up for assistance.  The Student Success Leader team from CASNR will be participating as well as many fraternities and sororities around campus.  There are an estimated 3,000 volunteers expected to participate.

Who runs this house? Oklahoma FFA!

The National FFA Convention was held the week of October 18-23 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  At the convention, new officers were elected, awards were given out, and other business was conducted.  Among the many stars that were recognized, OSU had two national awards that came back to Stillwater.

Riley Pagett, far left in the photo above, was named National FFA President at the convention.  This is an amazing honor for Riley and the state of Oklahoma, as being named President is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member.  A HUGE congratulations goes out to Riley!  Once again, congrats Riley and best of luck with your upcoming year!  We know you will do great!



Emily McCullough, pictured above, won the National Proficiency Award in Veterinary Medicine.  She won this award out of more than 50 other members that applied.  We would like to say congratulations to Emily on this GREAT accomplishment!  We are so proud of you!  Thanks for making Oklahoma FFA and OSU proud!

Capitol Cowboys

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work at the State Capitol and see first-hand how legislation is decided upon or wonder what it would be like to interact with the men and women who we send to serve in Oklahoma City? The Agriculture Legislative Internship sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources could provide YOU with that exact opportunity this spring!

The student chosen for this internship would work directly with the Oklahoma State House and Senate Committees on Agriculture. In addition, opportunities to work with the Commissioner and staff of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, food and Forestry would be made available.

If chosen, you must enroll in no more than 6 credit hours for the Spring semester and enroll in AG 3010. You will also be given a $3,500 scholarship for your work at the Capitol.

Any student who is enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources may apply. Please turn in all applications to 136 Ag Hall no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 12. If you have any questions, please contact our office. To access the application, please click here.

Good luck!