The excitement on the UW-Rivers Falls campus is palpable as seniors wrap up their last semester and prepare to accept their diplomas. The news from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is that the job market for these grads is looking good. So good, that students have to weigh the benefits of each job offer carefully before deciding. College Dean Michael Orth tells us where the numbers are trending for agriculture students entering the workforce.

We also talked with three graduating seniors about their job-hunting experience and what led them to choose their careers after graduation. Not one of them mentioned the word "salary" or "pay." It was all about how they connected with their future coworkers, their shared values, and how the job can help them transition from student to employee. 

In a few weeks, Ben Steffes will hold his degree in animal science. He’s looking forward to working with ABS as a reproductive technician serving farms in Clark County. 

Jaiden Miller will take her agricultural business degree to Syngtena following graduation. She’ll be a research associate helping with planting, harvesting, and pollinating plants in research trials. She says she applied for a lot of jobs through online career services, like LinkedIn and Indeed. But in the end, Jaiden decided to go with Syngenta, a company that she interned with. Similar to Ben, she points to the people as the reason why.

After earning a degree in agricultural communications, Kendra Jentz is taking a position with Kwik Trip as their campus tour coordinator. She says the personal connection is important for her graduation class because they didn’t get it at the end of their high school careers or the beginning of college due to pandemic restrictions. 

CAFES Dean Michael Orth says the unusual pandemic experience and high regard for connection in the workplace set these grads up for success. He says he’s noticed companies looking for these attributes.

The excitement on the UW-Rivers Falls campus is palpable as seniors wrap up their last semester and prepare to accept their diplomas. The news from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is that the job market for these grads is looking good. So good, that students have to weigh the benefits of each job offer carefully before deciding. College Dean Michael Orth tells us where the numbers are trending for agriculture students entering the workforce.
We also talked with three graduating seniors about their job-hunting experience and what led them to choose their careers after graduation. Not one of them mentioned the word "salary" or "pay." It was all about how they connected with their future coworkers, their shared values, and how the job can help them transition from student to employee. 
In a few weeks, Ben Steffes will hold his degree in animal science. He’s looking forward to working with ABS as a reproductive technician serving farms in Clark County. 
Jaiden Miller will take her agricultural business degree to Syngtena following graduation. She’ll be a research associate helping with planting, harvesting, and pollinating plants in research trials. She says she applied for a lot of jobs through online career services, like LinkedIn and Indeed. But in the end, Jaiden decided to go with Syngenta, a company that she interned with. Similar to Ben, she points to the people as the reason why.
After earning a degree in agricultural communications, Kendra Jentz is taking a position with Kwik Trip as their campus tour coordinator. She says the personal connection is important for her graduation class because they didn’t get it at the end of their high school careers or the beginning of college due to pandemic restrictions. 
CAFES Dean Michael Orth says the unusual pandemic experience and high regard for connection in the workplace set these grads up for success. He says he’s noticed companies looking for these attributes.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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