One of the most cherished traditions for students in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University is Night for Young Professionals. This event is being organized by the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) club in collaboration with Ohio Ag Net and Ohio’s Country Journal. It is intended to provide a platform for networking, opportunity discovery, and professional development. About 110 students packed the room to talk with the Ohio Soybean Council, soybean checkoff, and event sponsors while savoring a supper provided by City Barbeque.

During her welcome, Ashley Tate, chair of the ACT leadership committee, commended everyone who came “dressed for success and ready to discover a field of opportunities.” Ag Net Communications’ video manager, Joel Penhorwood, invited Julia Brown of the Ohio Soybean Council to offer some professional guidance.

As always, ask questions, according to Brown. When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” at the end of the session and the candidate has none, it’s usually awkward.

Brown emphasized to students that they should always be ready for an interview by bringing questions and corporate information.

Dr. Cathann A. Kress, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and vice president for Agricultural Administration, gave the event’s opening speech.

According to Kress, this college is the foundation of Ohio State University and has a long history. These are the folks that pull up their sleeves and get to work, so when others start to worry about what’s going to happen next, this college will be the one to figure it out. We take great pride in the fact that it is our legacy.

According to Kress, her greatest wish is for the students to realize that, as an industry, we are dependent on one another and cannot succeed on our own.

According to Kress, your careers will be lengthy and likely involve some twists and turns. “I can assure you that the friendships, connections, and networking you have built throughout your life will be of great use to you.

Reassuring each student that the college and the dean are all behind them, Kress concluded the event. After Kress’s speech, guests were sent to any breakout rooms they desired.

Included were breakout rooms:

• Panel on entrepreneurship: expert guidance The Wendt Group, Inc.’s president Kevin Wendt, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative’s chief innovation officer Phillip Farmer, and McCraken Consulting’s founder and CEO, Stacie McCraken.

• Develop your brand: Senior Account Manager at Inspire PR Group Meghann Winters-Rowe offers guidance on how to market yourself professionally.

· AgHires Senior Recruiter Katie Brown and Recruitment and Engagement Manager Taylor Embry will conduct a resume and LinkedIn training.

• Personal finance for aspiring professionals: advice from Farm Credit Mid-America Customer Education Manager Micah Mensing on handling your money while attending college.

Before ACT distributed freebies, Penhorwood asked attendees what they had learnt from their breakout rooms and Tate gave a final thank you.