College Opinions?

[1982vett]

Mickey's was across from the racetrack and closed around '81. It was a long drive from here but it was a nice place but a little expensive for college boys. Didn't go to Lakeview, not to much to the Hall. Dropped a small fortune EC, Grahams, and Mickey's. Electric Cowboy spot lives on (under different owners) as Hurricane Harry's.

 

[HerefordSire]

Since this is sorta the main board, I thought I'd throw this out there. Before I look at all the prices and gag, which college do you think would offer me the best start for my learning goal? I am most interested in Beef nutrition and genetics. I am also very interested in Beef reproduction. I have even considered becoming a specialized bovine vet. :? Of course, I need a basic degree in general Ag first and foremost. I have considered a couple junior colleges because they offer a very good deal on the first two years of Ag ed. I have Laramie (Wyoming) and Northeastern Junior (Colorado) in mind. Does anyone prefer one over the other? Any other 2 years in mind? And for a "4 year" college, I have CSU, UNL, and KSU in mind. Which do all y'all like? I also heard about South Dakota state? Any input on that college? Ultimately, my parents and close mentors will help make the final decision, but I'd like some input from several different points of view.
Thanks. :cboy:

(1) What amount of salary in todays dollars are you realisticly willing to work toward?

(2) How old are you and are you an IRS dependent? Do you have children or a spouse?

(3) If limited by income in choosing a school, what is a projected estimate of your annual salary and expenses?

 

[HerefordSire]

TB..you have more than one PhD?

 

[cypressfarms]

I'm definitely biased on this one, I'm an LSU alumi. Although I graduated in Management, LSU's vet school is one of the best in the nation, IMO. I have gone to more farmer/cattlemen/conservation classes given free by LSU than I have fingers. They offer specialized classes several times a year, on differing topics. The only thing you pay is a nominal fee to cover the food. They also have many specialists on the payroll that travel the state (and the south) and give lectures. The Gulf South Cattlemen, a regional cattle magazine has great articles that are dominated by LSU and A&M people.

GO TIGERS!

 

[Wewild]

Ultimately, my parents and close mentors will help make the final decision, but I'd like some input from several different points of view.
Thanks. :cboy:

Good post. There are many schools that you or they could choose for you.

In the end it will be what you do at one of the establishments and what you do after that sets you apart from the class.

Go where you want and do your best. You will succeed to what ever level you put forth the effort you wish to attain.

 

[blackcowz]

Since this is sorta the main board, I thought I'd throw this out there. Before I look at all the prices and gag, which college do you think would offer me the best start for my learning goal? I am most interested in Beef nutrition and genetics. I am also very interested in Beef reproduction. I have even considered becoming a specialized bovine vet. :? Of course, I need a basic degree in general Ag first and foremost. I have considered a couple junior colleges because they offer a very good deal on the first two years of Ag ed. I have Laramie (Wyoming) and Northeastern Junior (Colorado) in mind. Does anyone prefer one over the other? Any other 2 years in mind? And for a "4 year" college, I have CSU, UNL, and KSU in mind. Which do all y'all like? I also heard about South Dakota state? Any input on that college? Ultimately, my parents and close mentors will help make the final decision, but I'd like some input from several different points of view.
Thanks. :cboy:

(1) What amount of salary in todays dollars are you realisticly willing to work toward?

(2) How old are you and are you an IRS dependent? Do you have children or a spouse?

(3) If limited by income in choosing a school, what is a projected estimate of your annual salary and expenses?

I'd work towards $100,000 a year in the genetics and repro field and ? amount in nutrition.
I'm 14 for another 22 days. Not IRS dependent. (As far as I know?)
No kids (Thank God!) and no spouse. Just a teen with no one to look out for but myself, more or less.

 

[EAT BEEF]

You have some time to figure things out,but is your job going to let you live were you want to or can run your cows?IMO you should go were you'll have the most fun and who ever has the hottest girls.The rest just shows you have the discipline to complete something and put up with BS for four years.Most folks don't care that you a degree from _ _ _ _,they just care if you have one.If you really want to learn about genetics and breeding cattle,just go spend a few summers with real cattle breeder(not a multiplier or marketer).

 

[blackcowz]

You have some time to figure things out,but is your job going to let you live were you want to or can run your cows?IMO you should go were you'll have the most fun and who ever has the hottest girls.The rest just shows you have the discipline to complete something and put up with BS for four years.Most folks don't care that you a degree from _ _ _ _,they just care if you have one.If you really want to learn about genetics and breeding cattle,just go spend a few summers with real cattle breeder(not a multiplier or marketer).

Jee, I never thought that was what college was for..... :dunce: I have a lot of learning to do! In any case, going and working hands on with an outfit will be a must for me.

 

[1982vett]

IMO you should go were you'll have the most fun and who ever has the hottest girls.

Looking back, I let a lot of land slip thru my fingers. Choose well but make sure it is for the right reasons. ;-)

 

[HerefordSire]

Since this is sorta the main board, I thought I'd throw this out there. Before I look at all the prices and gag, which college do you think would offer me the best start for my learning goal? I am most interested in Beef nutrition and genetics. I am also very interested in Beef reproduction. I have even considered becoming a specialized bovine vet. :? Of course, I need a basic degree in general Ag first and foremost. I have considered a couple junior colleges because they offer a very good deal on the first two years of Ag ed. I have Laramie (Wyoming) and Northeastern Junior (Colorado) in mind. Does anyone prefer one over the other? Any other 2 years in mind? And for a "4 year" college, I have CSU, UNL, and KSU in mind. Which do all y'all like? I also heard about South Dakota state? Any input on that college? Ultimately, my parents and close mentors will help make the final decision, but I'd like some input from several different points of view.
Thanks. :cboy:

(1) What amount of salary in todays dollars are you realisticly willing to work toward?

(2) How old are you and are you an IRS dependent? Do you have children or a spouse?

(3) If limited by income in choosing a school, what is a projected estimate of your annual salary and expenses?

I'd work towards $100,000 a year in the genetics and repro field and ? amount in nutrition.
I'm 14 for another 22 days. Not IRS dependent. (As far as I know?)
No kids (Thank God!) and no spouse. Just a teen with no one to look out for but myself, more or less.

You sure are intelligent and mature for a 15 year old. When I asked if you were an IRS dependent, I was asking if someone can claim you on their tax return as a dependent. If this is the case, and without getting too personal, I would like to know if you intend to apply for complete government sponsored educaton as opposed to paying out of pocket, as in a student loan or funding from the ones claiming you on their tax return, or a combination of the two. This could be important is the selection of the school in which you ultimately choose.

 

[TR]

The Dixie Chicken, on the other hand,is a higher class establishment located across the street from the Motherland (TAMU) in the Northgate area. Ahhh, the memories are flooding back...

....I'm having flashbacks myself........sure had a lotta fun. Nowadays its just kinda cool to take the dogs and sit with a beer there on the back porch, but without the dirt lot or the Presbyterian church there anymore, its just not the same. :cry2: **sigh** Just have to re-live it through Robert Earl's timeless verses........

blackcowz, do your research, but don't let a little thing like cost stand in the way of your decision. Its an investment in your future. There is puhlenty of money available out there to suppliment your school tuition. Check into scholerships (there are literally thousands of them out there), grants, or (heaven forbid) what organizations like the CORPS at A&M has to offer in the way of funding. Take it from the "Student Loan Queen" herself.

Oh, BTW, I'm a bit partial to A&M if you couldn't tell. Went through the ag program there myself, and everything everyone wrote on here about it is the truth. Even if you don't move on to Vet School, their genetic, nutrition, etc programs are top knotch. Plus, there's always Blinn College there in Bryan for you to take the basics (English Lit, Spanish, Gov't/Eco, etc)

 

[blackcowz]

(1) What amount of salary in todays dollars are you realisticly willing to work toward?

(2) How old are you and are you an IRS dependent? Do you have children or a spouse?

(3) If limited by income in choosing a school, what is a projected estimate of your annual salary and expenses?

I'd work towards $100,000 a year in the genetics and repro field and ? amount in nutrition.
I'm 14 for another 22 days. Not IRS dependent. (As far as I know?)
No kids (Thank God!) and no spouse. Just a teen with no one to look out for but myself, more or less.

You sure are intelligent and mature for a 15 year old. When I asked if you were an IRS dependent, I was asking if someone can claim you on their tax return as a dependent. If this is the case, and without getting too personal, I would like to know if you intend to apply for complete government sponsored educaton as opposed to paying out of pocket, as in a student loan or funding from the ones claiming you on their tax return, or a combination of the two. This could be important is the selection of the school in which you ultimately choose.

Since I live with my parents, they would be the ones claiming me on their tax return, if that helps. I certainly won't want a government sponsored education. Sort of a pride thing. Anyway, I aim on paying out of my pocket. If I absolutely have to, I will get a small student loan that could be fairly easily paid off. However, I don't plan on getting any money from my parents. They have enough in me already. Overall, I simply plan on trying for as many scholarships as I can possibly get through 4-H, the Quarter Horse Association, and the American Angus Association. I also plan on doing work through college. My goal would be to get experience in the field I want to pursue while earning a little extra money to go towards my education. Is that kinda what you wanted?

 

[blackcowz]

So to clear this up, the start of college will be like High School? I.E., Math, English, History? I mean, I won't ONLY be studying, say, genetics, but also Math and Science?

 

[1982vett]

So to clear this up, the start of college will be like High School? I.E., Math, English, History? I mean, I won't ONLY be studying, say, genetics, but also Math and Science?

Yep, you gotta learn what the didn't teach in high school. :frowns:

 

[blackcowz]

So to clear this up, the start of college will be like High School? I.E., Math, English, History? I mean, I won't ONLY be studying, say, genetics, but also Math and Science?

Yep, you gotta learn what the didn't teach in high school. :frowns:

Oh, GREAT! :frowns:

 

[HerefordSire]

Since I live with my parents, they would be the ones claiming me on their tax return, if that helps. I certainly won't want a government sponsored education. Sort of a pride thing. Anyway, I aim on paying out of my pocket. If I absolutely have to, I will get a small student loan that could be fairly easily paid off. However, I don't plan on getting any money from my parents. They have enough in me already. Overall, I simply plan on trying for as many scholarships as I can possibly get through 4-H, the Quarter Horse Association, and the American Angus Association. I also plan on doing work through college. My goal would be to get experience in the field I want to pursue while earning a little extra money to go towards my education. Is that kinda what you wanted?

Another couple of questions if you don't mind....

What do you think about cloning? Can you narrow your preferred specialization field to more than animal genetics? In other words, what are you interested in inside of animal genetics?

Also, be thinking about this:

Q. If I want to get from point A to point B, what is the best route?

A. Locate someone already at point B and ask how they got there.

 

[blackcowz]

Since I live with my parents, they would be the ones claiming me on their tax return, if that helps. I certainly won't want a government sponsored education. Sort of a pride thing. Anyway, I aim on paying out of my pocket. If I absolutely have to, I will get a small student loan that could be fairly easily paid off. However, I don't plan on getting any money from my parents. They have enough in me already. Overall, I simply plan on trying for as many scholarships as I can possibly get through 4-H, the Quarter Horse Association, and the American Angus Association. I also plan on doing work through college. My goal would be to get experience in the field I want to pursue while earning a little extra money to go towards my education. Is that kinda what you wanted?

Another couple of questions if you don't mind....

What do you think about cloning? Can you narrow your preferred specialization field to more than animal genetics? In other words, what are you interested in inside of animal genetics?

Also, be thinking about this:

Q. If I want to get from point A to point B, what is the best route?

A. Locate someone already at point B and ask how they got there.

Thanks for the advice HS! Cloning? Genetic modification? Unraveling and altering DNA? I'm not so sure. I was thinking more along the lines of certified A.I. and E.T. tech. I mean, I could flush cows, collect bulls, and freeze embryos. I want to know how traits are handed down generation to generation and what bulls will enhance what cows in certain ways. Perhaps the more advanced stuff for grad school?

 

[HerefordSire]

Based upon the information you provided, I recommend you contact TransOva Genetics based in Iowa. Listed below is an email link you can direct to human resources. After researching the company on your own, write a simple professional letter to the human resource department and tell them you are 15 years old and preparing for your formal college education. Inquire to see if they have intern programs for college students and or newly graduated students, and also ask if they have an office close to where you are residing so you can immediately apply for one of the below listed jobs or possibly an apprenticeship. Finally, inquire if they recommend a specific professor and or University for the ET technicians. If you can locate David Faber's email address (I may have it if you can't find it), copy him on the email. That should do the trick of getting you headed in the right direction.



The Trans Ova Genetics team has dedicated themselves to providing the best technology, client service, animal care and client-oriented results available in the industry. No other team of professionals has more experience in helping breeders achieve success.

Current Opportunities:

Part-time Bottle Calf Herdsman at our Sioux Center, IA, location. Duties include: feed bottle calves, clean and bed calf hutch area, monitor calf health and administer treatment, record data on calves, maintain and clean equipment used for feeding. This is a 20-30 hour per week position. Candidate with prior calving and cattle handling experience preferred. Ability to operate farm machinery including tractors, skid loaders, manure spreaders and utility vehicles.

Part-time Cattle Herdsman/Maintenance at our Sioux Center, IA, location. Duties include: assisting with facility, farm equipment and cattle yard maintenance. Monitor cattle health and administer treatment; assist with cattle movement in and out of the facility; and record data on cattle. This is a 20-30 hour per week position. Candidate with prior cattle handling experience preferred. Ability to operate and maintain farm machinery including tractors, skid loaders, manure spreaders and utility vehicles.

Full-time Information Technologies Manager at our Sioux Center, IA, facility. The selected individual is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, and execution of all I.T. functions. Key duties include analyzing business needs and recommending technical solutions, implementing new systems to current technology, providing report and data analysis, developing an annual budget, and project management. Candidate will have strong experience in SQL server, .NET, Dynamics and Reporting Writing Tools. Experience with data reporting and implementing software development. B.S. degree in Computer Science or related field and 5 years minimum experience within Information Technology. Prior supervisory experience preferred. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to Human Resources prior to December 15.

Full time Cattle Herdsmen at our Sioux Center, IA, facility. Responsibilities include: feeding cattle; equipment, cattle yard, and facility maintenance; monitoring herd health and administering treatment; coordinating cattle movement within the facility; and recordkeeping. The preferred candidate should have experience with calving and cattle handling; able to operate farm machinery including tractors, skid loaders, manure spreaders and utility vehicles. Candidate holding an animal science degree or related field preferred.

Full-time Dairy Calf Care Specialist at our Sioux Center, IA, location. Trans Ova Genetics raises high value, genetically elite dairy calves for our clients. We are seeking to fill a full-time Dairy Calf Care Specialist position to oversee the raising of those calves. Understanding the value those calves bring to our clients, qualified individuals will have a demonstrated passion for dairy calves, and a continual drive to learn. The individual will have excellent organizational and record keeping skills, impeccable attention to detail, and be a forward thinker. It is critical to able to work as both part of a team and individually, as well as maintaining a professional image. The position requires the ability to lift at least 70lbs and the willingness to work in all types of weather conditions. Past experience in the dairy industry, especially raising bottle calves, will be very beneficial.

Part-time Cattle Feeder at our Sioux Center, IA, location. Looking for a way to supplement your income? We are seeking to fill several positions to work rotating weekends and holidays; approximately 10 hours per weekend. Must have knowledge and experience with the following farm equipment: tractor, payloader, and feedtruck.

Submit your cover letters / resumes to [email protected]

http://www.transova.com/transova/career.htm

 

[blackcowz]

Thank you SO much, HS! This will probably get me headed on the right track to the future I have in mind. Ironically, my family owns a farm in Des Moines, Iowa. This might just work out. Once again, I appreciate your help and advice.

 

[capt]

Good response from the SDSU alum. Good solid programs and research especially in beef cattle. Another note to consider. NJC is very good at setting their curriculum to meet requirements at most all ag universities and most of their classes go a step beyond. You are young enough right now that what I would recommend is to do a little research on when the next Range Beef Cow Symposium is and if it is close enough for you and your parents to attend. It provides the opportunity to visit with university personnel from CSU, UW, SDSU and UNL all in one trip. Gives you the straight scoop without being swayed by campus amenities. NOT that campus life is to be ignored at all, it is in fact the single most important factor in your college years in my mind, but seeing the campus should be second fiddle to visiting with the people about the universities. Hope this helps and wishing a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL out there!!