Month: December 2015

Hireabuckeye…Buckeye, Hired!

kayla

By: Kayla Starlin, Agribusiness and Applied Economics | Logan, OH

Job searching can be tedious, long, tiring and stressful. That’s all multiplied when the search comes in the midst of classes, exams and extra-curriculars. But thanks to Ohio State and the career services that our college provides us, I was lucky enough not to worry about any of that. This is my final semester here at Ohio State, and I was blessed to spend the entirety of it knowing that I was employed upon my graduation. I’m ecstatic to say that I will be a sales trainee with AgReliant Genetics beginning in January, but that’s also attributable to the support from Hireabuckeye, my professors and mentors here in CFAES. Hireabuckeye helped to connect me with an internship that was the perfect fit for me. It’s thanks to that internship that made me insurmountably more attractive in the job market. I’m most certainly not the only one in my situation either, as several of my friends and classmates had secured jobs well before the second week of classes. Our college prides itself in our students’ hireability upon graduation, and they do so for great reason.

Blue Corduroy Buckeye

sydney snider

By: Sydney Snider, Agricultural Communication | Moscow, OH

Just six years ago, I zipped up my blue corduroy jacket for the first time to attend National FFA Convention. I remember sitting in the nose bleed sections of the arena listening to the national officers speak about our organization and honor its members. My first trip to convention set me on a journey that transformed my life. That trip sparked a light within me to become more involved with FFA, grow as a leader, and become a stronger advocate for agriculture. Even though I didn’t realize it until much later, my first convention trip also led me to make the decision to run for national FFA office.

Running for office involved a lot of preparation, growth, and passion. However, my time spent preparing were some of the most influential and transformative months of my life and they led to a moment that will stay alive within my heart forever. As the final session began at the 88th National FFA Convention, I thought back to the first convention I attended and the passion that grew from that trip. These thoughts and memories allowed my worries and anxiety to leave and truly enjoy what could have been my last convention session in the blue jacket. As the election process began, I was calm and excited to find out who would serve our organization. The music began and nothing could prepare me for what was about to happen. Hearing “Ohio” called was one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced. In an instant, everything seemed to slow down as I (not so gracefully) ran to the convention stage. Out of breath and in shock I could only hear the roar of the crowd and my heart beat loudly as my teammates and I gathered together for the first time.

This year, I am excited to serve an organization that has helped me discover countless values, skills, and passions. As a national FFA officer, I will spend the next year traveling around the country interacting with FFA members, advisors, sponsors, and supporters. I am proud to represent the Ohio FFA Association and The Ohio State University at the national level. As I am knee deep in training and preparation for the year, I am feeling especially grateful for the support and encouragement of those who have helped me along this journey. I look forward to bringing a piece of that, a piece of Ohio, everywhere I go this year.

Ask Me Bout My Turtle

Illibuck

By: Summer McCracken, Agribusiness and Applied Economics | Anna, OH

Ask me about how we were in The Columbus Dispatch. Ask me about how we got to sing Carmen Ohio with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ask me about that 32-pound bundle of joy above Zeke’s head (a.k.a. IllyIllibuck, the 2nd oldest trophy in the Big Ten Conference). Ask me about how I joined an organization full of incredible student leaders, and how it transformed into a family. So go ahead: ask me about Bucket and Dipper Junior Class Honorary.

Last fall, I wanted to get more involved at the university level. I took a risk and applied for Bucket and Dipper Junior Class Honorary. No one knew my name nor did I know theirs. Together a group of thirty strangers embarked on a yearlong journey of scholarship, service, and leadership. For those most involved (including myself) were chosen to go on the University of Illinois’s football field for the beloved tradition of the Illibuck Pass. Seven members of both Bucket and Dipper and our sister fraternity from University of Illinois, Atius-Sachem, strolled out onto the football field during the fourth quarter of the Illini/Buckeye game. Joy gleamed on each of our faces as 60,000 fans cheered us on. I stood at the end of the pass waiting for the trophy to come back to OSU’s possession. Finally, I received Illy and I could not contain my excitement any long. Jumping up and down, waving Illy around, and yelling for all to hear as I ended the Illibuck Pass.

If that wasn’t extraordinary enough, we received a surprise from our advisor and Ohio State. Bucket and Dipper would be returning to the field again to sing Carmen Ohio with the football team. The game ended and the speckle of red at the corner of the stadium shouted at the approval of another Buckeye win. Somehow I landed among the offensive lineman. Television does not do these men justice. They were twice the width of me with another foot and a half in height. But together, we swayed back and forth on the field for the cherished tradition of Carmen.

When I first started, I didn’t realize the significance of the big wooden turtle or the impact the group of thirty members would have on me. I am honored to be serving as the Selections Chair for this prestigious organization. To learn more information about Buckeye and Dipper or to apply, go to

http://bucketanddipper.org.ohio-state.edu/index.html.