Students in the Herbert College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine take every opportunity to get involved outside the classroom. In Herbert alone, there are more than thirty student clubs from Collegiate 4-H/FFA to Construction Science and Wildlife and Fisheries. Experiences in these organizations enables students to establish a supportive network and gain skills and awareness that prepare them for promising careers ahead.
Kendall Barnes
Kendall Barnes is a fourth-year student in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Despite her busy academic schedule, she thrives in organizations like the Student American Veterinary Medical Association, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and the Surgery Club.
“Participating in school organizations provides a space to get to know your peers and future colleagues. Not only did it introduce me to my fellow classmates, it also gave me the opportunity to reach out and connect with faculty and staff,” Barnes says. She adds that her leadership positions in such organizations have aided her professional development and challenged her to step out of her comfort zone.
Recently, Barnes served as the general manager for co-hosting the 2024 Student American Veterinary Medical Association Symposium with the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. About 1,000 participants from all over the world attended, allowing the college to showcase its vet students, faculty, and staff and provide a meeting space for the association’s president and House of Delegates organizations.
“These organizations meet to discuss how they can improve veterinary students’ lives, education, and future career,” Barnes says. “It was so special to get to offer this opportunity and get to be a part of it along the way.”
Her plans now are to secure a small-animal rotating internship and residency for ophthalmology. Barnes’ participation and leadership experience in student organizations have more than prepared her for these next steps in her career.
Jacinda Dunn
Jacinda Dunn received her bachelor’s degree in food science in 2014 and presently works as a supplier quality lead for Chick-fil-A. In her role, she investigates supplier quality issues and analyzes data to improve product performance and foster strong relationships with suppliers.
Dunn uses her understanding of food safety and quality assurance to identify trends and potential issues from various data sources. “We have category leads assigned to each food and non-food category for each supplier. I support each category lead by serving as the initial point of contact for our restaurants when quality issues arise, investigating reported incidents thoroughly,” she says.
During her time at Herbert, Dunn was actively involved in multiple student organizations. She was a member of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences; Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; and the Food Science Club.
“Participating in these student organizations played a huge role in shaping where I am today,” says Dunn. “From being introduced to research opportunities, networking with other students and industry professionals, and preparing for life beyond the classroom, I would not be the Jacinda I am today.”
Dunn mentions that an “on-the-spot interview at the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences national conference led to subsequent interviews with the same company,” resulting in a job opportunity in upstate New York. The Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation exposed her to research, internships, and co-op opportunities, opening doors to experiences like a summer research internship program at Iowa State University. Through the Food Science Club, she attended the annual Institute of Food Technologists Expo, “revealing the diverse career paths within the realm of food science,” she says.
Her number one piece of advice to students is to get involved. From Dunn’s perspective, success does not come from only doing what is required. By taking advantage of all that Herbert and UT Knoxville offer outside the classroom, there’s no limit to what students can achieve.
She adds, “I owe a debt of gratitude to the amazing advisers and mentors in these organizations who pushed me beyond the limits of what I could see as a student.”
Ian Kane
Ian Kane (’21) majored in food and agricultural business and is currently the membership representative for the Montana Stockgrowers Association. His role focuses on the areas of member services, industry relations, and recruitment for the association.
Kane explains that, while his major and internships were the main driver for pursuing a career in the beef industry, his involvement in student organizations created many benefits both academically and professionally.
As a member of the Food and Agricultural Business Club, Kane participated in several farm visits where he learned about operations and received advice from agricultural producers. “These off-campus visits allowed members of the Food and Agricultural Business Club to gain insight into a variety of enterprises and to network with leaders in the regional ag economy,” he says.
Kane also served as a Herbert Ambassador, helping prospective students identify a major that could meet their interests and career aspirations. Kane says that, through his experience as an ambassador, he gained a greater perspective on the diversity of career paths within the agriculture industry.
According to Kane, there is significant value in joining student organizations. Not only do students build networks, hone their skills, and build up their résumés, but these experiences often lead to long-lasting friendships.
“Connecting with other students allows you to draw upon the shared knowledge and experiences of a group that is in a similar stage of life,” he says. “I am most thankful for the community within the Herbert College of Agriculture that provided me with many excellent mentors who gave me the tools and encouragement to pursue opportunities that helped prepare me for my current role with the Montana Stockgrowers Association.”
Involvement in student organizations is an important part of student life within the Herbert College of Agriculture
UT College of Veterinary Medicine offers opportunities for involvement outside the classroom
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