Courtney Girgis, Future Ag Communicators Co-Chair
Remember the survey conducted by the Future Ag Communicators Committee back in 2023? Our main goal was to investigate your priorities for student programming, and based on your responses, we pivoted to focus on scholarships and opportunities that get more students to Ag Media Summit.
Through that survey and subsequent conversations, we also found out that mentorship has been on the minds of both professionals in the Ag Communicators Network and students.
Ag comm professionals want to engage college students and build better employees.
Ag comm students know they want to tell ag stories, but they aren’t always sure of what their career could look like. They value professionals and want guidance, but they don’t know how to spark meaningful connections.
Seems like making these connections is a good job for the Ag Communicators Network!
Thanks to a sponsorship from Alltech, we are offering 50 ACN student memberships at no cost to the students. (Send the application link to a student you know!) We don’t want these students to be members in name only. We want to build them up so they are better prepared and confident as they enter the industry as young professionals in just a few short years.
We have already begun. Thank you to ACN members Ashley Craft, Shauna Hermel, Jenny Ring, Megan Silveira and Steve Werblow for mentoring ACN student members Rylee Coy, Jenna Fiscus, Tahja Sims, Kristen Smith and Jacob Zajkowski as part of a pilot mentorship program at Ag Media Summit. And congratulations to these proactive students who want to make the most of their ACN membership.
As we look at the 2025-2026 school year, we plan to offer a more robust mentorship program. You can make a meaningful difference by becoming a mentor.
The Mentorship Program
Beginning in January, matched mentor-student pairs (or small groups, depending on participant numbers) will meet by phone or video call approximately 45 minutes to an hour each month until Ag Media Summit. While we understand not everyone will be able to attend AMS, we encourage participants to attend so they can meet in person.
During the initial meeting, we suggest mentors share about their career journey and students share their career goals and questions. Together, mentors and mentees will set goals and make a plan for their time together for the duration of the program.
Some suggested topics to cover include resume review and development, portfolio review and development, internship and job interview preparation, and how to get the most from professional organizations. We will provide mentors with materials they can use to guide these conversations, if they would like. However, the program is intended to be flexible and tailored to the needs and interests of the mentor and student.
Here are some specific responsibilities and expectations:
The mentor will:
● Develop goals for the relationship with the mentee
● Set mentor/mentee meeting dates
● When appropriate, help improve mentee portfolio
● When appropriate, help mentee make contacts in the industry
● Be available to offer advice or refer mentee to others who can
● Participate in a mid- and post-term evaluation
The mentee will:
● Develop goals for the relationship with the mentor
● Work with mentor to establish and uphold meeting dates
● Prepare list of questions they would like to ask their mentor
● When appropriate, provide mentor with portfolio and resume
● Participate in a mid- and post-term evaluation
What’s In It For You?
Everyone has something to share. As a mentor, you can share your experience and network, but you will also have the chance to learn from your mentee. Pick their minds on the latest tools and technology being taught at the university. Gain insight into the challenges and priorities of the next generation straight from the source.
Some of the most meaningful things in life are our relationships. Are you willing to invest in a student today and gain a new connection?
If you are, please sign up using the form below.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me (cllgirgis@gmail.com) and Chelsea Dinterman, chelsea.dinterman@agriculture.com.
– Girgis is a member of the ACN Board of Directors.