INSTRUCTORS

Erskine H. Cash, 315 W. L. Henning Building, (814) 863-3662; email: ehc1@psu.edu

Jana Peters, 314 W. L. Henning, (814) 863-4198; email: jp9@psu.edu

Dirk F. Wise, PERC, (814) 863-0510; email: dfw3@psu.edu

 

Description

Careers in Animal Agriculture: A description and analysis of career opportunities and recent developments in animal agriculture. Class meets Thursdays from 1:00-2:15 p.m. in 112 Kern

 

OBJECTIVES

1.   Develop a general awareness of the many potential careers available to graduates of the Animal Sciences baccalaureate degree program.

 

2.   Stimulate the interest of students in seeking and properly preparing for their chosen career.

 

3.   Analyze current and future trends in animal agriculture regarding career opportunities.

 

OUTLINE

1.   A discussion and presentation of services available through The Pennsylvania State University Career Development and Placement Center.

 

2.   Presentations by potential employers and/or by college graduates employed in occupations representative of career opportunities in animal agriculture.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1.   Attend each class session.

 

2.   Prepare a report on three career presentations. Each report shall include the name of the speaker; a brief description of the career opportunity presented; and a description of the formal course work, practical skills, and experiences that would help an individual become properly prepared for an entry-level position.

 

      These three reports shall be submitted for critiquing and grading by the instructors. The reports must be typed on one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The student must select, prepare, and submit the reports according to the following presentation schedule:  (note: You must have attended class on that day to submit a report for the career opportunity presented there).

      a.   September 15, 22, and 29—first report due in class on October 6, 2005.

      b.   October 6, 13, 20, 27—second report due in class on November 3, 2005.

      c.   November 3, 10, 17, December 1—third report due in class on December 8, 2005.

 

      The first and second reports will be critiqued, graded, and returned to the student one week after the due date. The student will revise the report and submit copies of both the original and the revised versions one week later for final critiquing and grading.  Only an original grade will be recorded for the third report.


STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES  (continued)

3.   Students will prepare a cover letter and resume using information and instructions presented by Career Services (see Guest Speakers list,  page 3, September 8, 2005). Resumes should present personal information and experience completed as of the due date. Type the cover letter and resume on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  It is strongly encouraged that you take the original draft of the cover letter and resume to 101 MBNA for review and critique by an intake counselor.  The cover letter and draft resume shall be submitted during the class period on September 29, 2005; they will be critiqued by the instructors and returned October 6, 2005. The cover letter can be addressed to any potential employer.  Students will make necessary corrections and use this version to prepare copies for distribution to potential employers at the Ag Career Day, October 25, 2005. Student participation in Ag Career Days is required.

4.   The Career Goals Form (to be distributed on December 1, 2005) must be completed and submitted in class on December 8, 2005.

 

GRADING AND GRADES

Reports, cover letters, and resumes will be evaluated and graded on the basis of content, clarity, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and neatness. Points will be deducted for lateness (late on due date minus 5 points; one day after due date minus 10 points; two or more days after due date minus 15 points).

The grade for the first and second reports will be the mean of the grades assigned to the original and revised drafts submitted to the instructors for critique.  The grade for the third report will be the grade assigned to the original draft submitted to the instructors for critique.

 

The course grade will be based on three reports, a cover letter and resume, promptness in meeting deadlines, class attendance, attendance at Ag Career Day, and submission of the career goals form according to the following schedule:

                 Class Attendance......... 3 pts each  (13)......... 39 points

                 Report......................... 15 pts each  (3)......... 45 points

                 Resume/Cover Letter..................................... 10 points

                 Career Goals Form......................................... 3 points

                 Ag Career Day Attendance.............................. 3 points

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           _________________________

                                                                                     100 points

 

All assignments must be completed to obtain a satisfactory letter grade (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D). No examinations will be given. Course grades will be assigned on the following scale:

                 94-100............ A                                 75-79.............. C+

                 90-93.............. A-                                70-74.............. C

                 87-89.............. B+                               60-69.............. D

                 84-86.............. B                                  < 59................ F

                 80-83.............. B-

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity, as defined by University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20, is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND GUEST SPEAKER

Date                                  Speakers                                                  Careers

 

September 1         Introduction – Wise, Peters, Cash

 

                              Dr.Chad Dechow                                                   Teaching/Research/Extension

                              Assistant Professor of Dairy Cattle Genetics

                              Department of Dairy and Animal Science

                              333 Henning Building

                              University Park, PA   16802

                              (814) 863-3659; FAX:  (814) 863-6042

                              E-mail:  cdechow@psu.edu                                   

 

                              Jessica Wilson                                                        Graduate School

                              Graduate Student in Animal Science

                              324 Henning Building

                              University Park, PA   16802

                              (814) 863-4199; FAX:  (814) 863-6042

                              E-mail:  jcw195@psu.edu                                      

                                                                                                                                   

September 8         Dr. Dulin Clark                                                       Penn State University Career Services

                              Assistant Director for Counseling and

                              Planning Career Services

                              101 MBNA Career Services Building

                              University Park, PA   16802

                              (814) 865-2377; FAX:  863-0226

                               E-mail:  dwc105@psu.edu

                             

September 15       Earnest Meily                                                         Swine

                              Human Resources Manager

                              Hatfield Quality Meats

                              2700 Funks Road

                              P.O. Box 902

                              Hatfield, PA   19440-0902

                              (215) 368-2500 Ext. 8197; (717) 413-5183 (cell)

                              E-mail:  emeily@cvff.com

 

                              Jim Shirk                                                                Poultry

                              Marketing Coordinator

                              Wenger Feeds

                              101 West Harrisburg Ave.

                              P.O. Box 26

                              Rheems, PA   17570

                              (717) 361-4248

 

September 22       Matt Wanner                                                          Production/Dairy Industry

                              Wanner's Pride-N-Joy Farm

                  5800 Wanner Rd.

                  Narvon, PA 17555

                  717-768-8118

 

 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND GUEST SPEAKER (Continued)

Date                                   Speakers                                                   Careers

 

September 29       Celie Myers                                                            Meats Industry

                              Technical Services

                              Cargill Taylor Beef

                              P.O. Box 188

                              Wyalusing, PA 18853

                              Ph: 570-746-3000, ext 7339

                              Fax: 570-746-6340

                              E-mail: celie_myers@cargill.com

                              Resume and cover letter are due.

 

October 6              Barbara Toddes                                                     Zoo Animals

                              Nutrition Program Director

                              Philadelphia Zoo

                              (215) 243-5253

                              E-mail:  toddes.barbara@phillyzoo.org

                              First report is due.

                              Return resume and cover letter.

                                                                                                           

October 13            Chris Connelly                                                        Veterinarian

                              Centre Herd Health Services

                              169 Dennis Alan Circle

                              PO Box 483

                              Centre Hall PA 16828

                              814-364-9655

                              Return first report.

                             

October 20            Steven Shaw                                              Feed Industry

                              Business Development Manager

                              Cargill Animal Nutrition

                              192 Frederick Rd.

                              Martinsburg, Pa. 16662

                              Phone\Fax:814-832-3512

                              Cell: 814-937-1822

                              Email: Steve_Shaw@Cargill.com

                              First revised and original reports are due.

 

October 25            Ag Career Day – Students are expected to participate.  Details will be explained on

                              October 13 and 20, 2005.

 

October 27            David R. Love                            Pharmaceutical Sales

                              Fort Dodge Animal Health

                              Livestock Regional Manager 210

                              397 Cedarcreek Drive

                              State Road, NC   28676

                              Local:  336-469-2782

                              Company:  1-800-685-5656

                              E-mail:  rlove@fdah.com

 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND GUEST SPEAKER (Continued)

Date                                  Speakers                                                  Careers

 

October 27            Samantha Bucks                                                     Pharmaceutical Sales (Continued)

(Continued)           Therapeutic Specialist

                              Pfizer Animal Health

                              Companion Animal Division

                              812 Springdale Drive

                              Exton PA 19341

                              800-877-6290 ext 7039

                              Samantha.bucks@pfizer.com

                              Return first revised and original reports.

 

November 3          Paul Slayton, Executive Director                             Industry Relations

                              Pa Beef Council

                              1500 Fulling Mill Road

                              Middletown, PA 17057

                              (717) 939-7000

                              pslayton@pabeef.org

 

                              Alexa A. Stoner

                              Industry Relations Manager

                              Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association

                              405 Park Drive

                              Carlisle, PA  17013

                              (717) 486-8590 ext. 2; fax: (717) 486-8917

                              astoner@milk4u.org

                              www.dairyspot.com

                              Second report is due.

 

November 10        David H. Billman                                                    Pharmaceutical Research

                              Laboratory Supervisor

                              Merck & Co., Inc.

                              WP45-238

                              P.O. Box 4

                              West Point, PA   19486

                              (215) 652-1281

                              FAX:  (215) 652-7758

                              E-mail:  david_billman@merck.com

 

                              Malcolm Koontz 

                              Facilities Manager

                              Lampire Farms

                              9442 Clear Ridge Rd.

                              Everett, PA 15537

                              (814) 652-6170                                                    

                              E-mail:  mtkoontz@yellowbananas.com                 

                              Return second report.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND GUEST SPEAKER (Continued)

Date                                  Speakers                                                  Careers

 

November 17        Bobby Jones                                                          Ag Finance
Senior Vice President/Regional Manager
4504 Westbranch Hwy.
Lewisburg, PA 17837

bjones@AgChoice.com
Phone: 1-800--326-9507 Ext 320
Cell: 1-570-850-9100
Fax: 1-570-523-6171

                              Second revised and original reports are due. 

 

November 24        Thanksgiving Holiday

 

December 1          Leslie Janecka                                                        Equine Industry
Kentucky Equine Management Internship
P.O. Box 910628
Lexington, Kentucky 40591
Toll Free: 877-644-KEMI
Local: 859-277-2512
Cell: 859-576-6256
Email: lesliej@kemi.org
Website: www.kemi.org

 

                              Doug J. Pierson VMD

                              Staff Veterinarian

                              Hanover Shoe Farms

                              Route 194 South, PO Box 339

                              Hanover, PA  17331

                              Phone: 717-637-8931

                              E-mail:  rpierson@hanoverpa.com

                              Return second revised and original reports.

                              Distribute Career Goals Form.

 

December 8          Melanie Barkley                                                     Cooperative Extension

Bedford County Extension
120 W. John Street, Suite 2
Bedford, PA 15522

(814) 623-4800

E-mail:  meh7@psu.edu

                             

                              Mildred Turner                                                       Governmental Agencies

                              Farm Loan Manager

                              Farm Service Agency

                              216 Spring Run Road, Room 101

                              Mill Hall, PA   17751-9543

                              (570) 726-3196

                              E-mail:  mildred.turner@pa.usda.gov                      

                              Third report and Career Goals Form are due.