Developing leaders through friendship, networking, and communication skills!
by Anna Webel
Jump In
As a kid, I was always told how lucky I was that my life revolved around and was rooted in (pun intended) the agricultural and livestock industry. I always knew that was true, but putting the skills and development that the livestock realm has taught me to use every day has allowed me to create a deeper appreciation for the industry. Recently, I jumped out of my comfort zone and took a deep dive into corporate America. Exciting, right? I went through the application, interview, and onboarding process to become a Commercial Intern in the Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) at Caterpillar. Talk about a mouthful! Over this time, however, I was consistently complimented on my skills of professionalism, ability to defend my stance, and much more. Like so many other juniors in the livestock industry, I felt so prepared to tackle real-world applications because of the foundation that has been laid over the past 12 years of participation in the AJSA National Classic.
Don’t get me wrong, my first love and true passion still stems from working, developing, and making decisions around Simmental cattle, livestock, and animal agriculture, but this experience that I have been through the past few weeks has been unlike any other. As one of over 600 corporate interns, I have felt like the tiniest
little fish in the Pacific Ocean. To put it to scale, I crossed the line that I would consider my comfort zone a long, long time ago. I will say, though, that jumping headfirst into the deep end can sometimes be better than wading step by step. The experience of meeting new people, networking, and problem-solving is not different from diving headfirst into an educational contest at the AJSA National Classic. Whether it is a hard question that a sales talk judge asks or the process of organization that it takes to put a public speech together, every contest, in some way, develops each junior to become a better version of themselves personally and professionally.
With the skills the AJSA experience has taught me, I have been able to tackle each new task this summer during my internship. The educational contests are set up to help every junior within our beloved Association, but you only reap the benefit of them if you are consciously putting in the work, effort, and dedication necessary. J.J. Watt once said, “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.” While I understand that the educational contests are sometimes not the most important on a given junior’s daily list over the summer, or even at the National Classic, they are there for YOUR benefit. Making the conscious decision to participate in sales talks, public speaking, interview contests, judging, and quizzes to the highest degree you can muster will eventually make you a better professional. So, jump out of your comfort zone at the National Classic and give it your best go! .
2024–2025 American Junior Simmental Association Board of Trustees
Eastern Region
Carter Hall, WV
Walker Housley, TN
North Central Region
Noah Goss, KS
Emerson Tarr, IL
South Central Region
Hallie Hackett, TX
Anna Sweat, AR
Western Region
Aribella Beins, UT
At-Large
Ella Fischer, MO
Chase Harker, IN
Cecillia Newby, KS
Anna Webel, IL