A unique opportunity to learn from CASNR alumni
Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Oklahoma State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will host the CASNR Alumni Panel April 7 at 7 p.m. in Agricultural Hall, room 101.
The alumni panel is an event planned and coordinated by the Career Liaisons, a Student Success Leader group that serves to enhance the professional development of all CASNR students.
Amy Gazaway, CASNR student development coordinator and Career Liaison adviser, said this is one of CASNR’s most popular events of the year.
This year’s panel will be comprised of alumni from CASNR who have graduated within the past 10 years. Gazaway said the discussion focuses on the alums experiences after college, and also on what they did or wished they had done during their time at OSU.
“I think it provides the best opportunity for students to not only network with young professionals who were in their shoes just a few years ago, but also to learn from them and to be able to adjust what’s remaining of their college experience,” Gazaway said.
Lindsey Underwood, a senior agricultural economics major and Career Liaison president, said the CASNR Alumni Panel is a chance for students to make direct connections.
Underwood said the panel consists of alumni from a diversity of departments and majors, which represents a wide variety of career paths.
“We ask professionals from many different areas to come, so students across the entire college can benefit from attending the event,” Underwood said.
She said her team takes this event very seriously because they know it could be one of the only chances students have to visit with professionals in a casual, fun environment before applying for future jobs.
Like many students who have attended the alumni panel before, Underwood’s favorite part of the night is visiting one-on-one with panelists during the ice cream bar.
After the discussion is over, panelists and students will have the opportunity to create their own ice cream masterpiece, with several toppings and topics of conversation from which to choose.
“I think it’s really neat for professionals and students to get to sit down, enjoy ice cream and talk about life together,” Underwood said.
Confirmed panelists for the event include:
- Jessica Coryell, biosystems and agricultural engineering graduate and Asset Integrity Engineer with Magellan Midstream Partners
- Dell Farris, agricultural economics graduate and loan officer at American National Bank of Comanche
- Sarah Horne Petty, biochemistry and molecular biology graduate and resident at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- Casey Sharber, horticulture graduate and director of horticulture for Myriad Botanical Gardens
- Justin Street, plant and soil science graduate and agX content manager with SST Software
- Katie Vaz, agricultural communications graduate and communications specialist with OSU Undergraduate Admissions
The CASNR Alumni Panel will be held in conjunction with CASNR Week following the annual dodge ball tournament, and students are encouraged to attend both events.
The OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources believes in the value of hands-on education and the importance of having a well-rounded student experience. Our award-winning faculty members are dedicated to developing students and passionate about adding value to the total educational experience. With 16 majors and 61 study options, plus more than 60 student organizations, the college is committed to expanding minds and inspiring purpose. Learn more at casnr.okstate.edu.
Story by Jacy Bradford