Meet Student Member: Aris Williams!
By Ashlyn Rochester, ACN Communications Specialist
As part of the new and incoming student members, sponsored by Filament, we’re highlighting the new members. Aris Williams is a student at Louisiana State University, where she studies Plant and Soil Systems – Horticultural Sciences. To get to know her better and why her student membership in ACN is important to her, we asked her a few questions.
1. Why are you studying agriculture?
I’m studying agriculture because it’s an integral part of my home state, Louisiana’s economy. I would love to utilize what I’ve learned to support advancements in this sector and ultimately create jobs and other opportunities for residents.
2. What position, goal, or outcome do you hope to accomplish with your agriculture degree?
My ultimate goal in getting my degree in Agriculture is doing extension work and research. Agriculture plays a role in all of our lives, and I would love to do work that ultimately serves the collective. A specific role I’d like is as a 4-H Extension Agent.
3. What do you hope to gain from your student membership to ACN? If it’s something specific, like a mentor or feedback, please be specific and include an email address for members to reach you at.
In joining ACN, I hope to gain valuable insight from professionals in the agricultural communications industry. I like to take advantage of any opportunities to be more informed and seek the guidance of people with more experience than me.
4. As part of the application process, we ask applicants to write a few short paragraphs on the value of joining ACN, and why this would help the applicant in their career.
Ag Communicators Network presents a unique opportunity for students in Agriculture-related fields of study to forge long-term connections with professionals across the spectrum of agricultural media. My previous background in journalism, along with my current role as a columnist for my university’s newspaper, is what caused this organization to capture my interest.
After seeing feedback from student members on their experiences with ACN, I’m fully convinced that the value of joining ACN lies in making the most of your experience with the organization. Member resources such as special interest groups, a job bank and assistance with building resumes would allow me to maximize my potential entering the workforce while gaining valuable insight from those with more experience than me.
Organizational events such as the upcoming Agricultural Media Summit in Palm Springs, CA would also be an amazing opportunity to expand my horizons and gain new experiences. Should I be blessed with a membership, I intend to utilize all the resources at my disposal and represent ACN in a matter that’s pleasing to the organization.
Students can apply or be nominated for membership. Please share this with interested students and/or nominate a student today. Thank you, Filament, for investing in the future of Ag Communicators!
The application is available at this link.