Scaling Up Our Skills

By Jenna Kamppi
B.S. Animal Science  |  Class of 2026

T

he term “soft skills” often refers to intangible qualities such as communication, leadership, problem solving, time management, and the ability to work well on teams. According to a study conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and the Standford Research Center, 85% of work success is due to a good development of these intangible soft skills while only 15% of job success is due to technical knowledge, often referred to as hard skills. 

Of course, soft doesn’t mean easy. Just as hard doesn’t necessarily mean difficult.

Oregon State University has a lot to offer inside the classroom and out. While academic knowledge (or hard skills) is vital, there are so many programs that expand equally important if less tangible soft skills.  These opportunities range from classroom-based programs to after-school clubs. They all offer unique opportunities for students to learn and grow in their field of interest while expanding their soft skills for their future careers.

For some students, this is where they fall in love with their field of interest or meet some of their closest friends with similar goals. When students get involved with opportunities, they also open so many doors to their perspective fields. Many students find mentors, internships, and job opportunities while participating in these different clubs and activities offered through the college. These activities are found across a number of different clubs, classes, programs, Greek life, and more.

It’s all Greek to Me

Greek life has long been a valuable part of developing soft skills for students.  The experiences  found in fraternities or sororities provide a unique avenue for students to cultivate essential soft skills while also forging lifelong connections with peers who share their passions.

Sigma Alpha—a national professional agricultural sorority that promotes scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship among its members—has been a great place for me and my sisters to connect with others interested in agricultural industries. Bri Rimmey as an AFBM major gives her insights, I have found deep connections and shared passion amongst my “sisters” in Sigma Alpha. Many of the women in this sorority are actively serving as college ambassadors or on leadership teams in our college. While Sigma Alpha requires members to be involved in at least one other club on campus you can generally find members in multiple clubs. I’ve met some of my best friends in Sigma Alpha and have become better connected to the community and college because of it.

Sigma Alpha Bid Day of Spring term 2023. Potential new members get a bid from Sigma Alpha and get to become part of the sisterhood.

Just as Sigma Alpha provides these meaningful experiences for women who share a passion for agriculture and natural resources, Alpha Gamma Rho does the same for men as a social-professional fraternity “bound by shared values and shared professions in agriculture, natural resources, and related fields.”

According to Alpha Gamma Rho member Trent Lundy, a Business Administration major: “Being a member of Alpha Gamma Rho has provided me with many unique opportunities to form connections with people within the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State. Our alumni base through the fraternity has been very helpful in ensuring that our members are exposed to many different aspects of the agricultural industry. These connections ultimately help us grow our networks and push us to become successful in our careers and endeavors after we graduate. As an agricultural fraternity on campus, we also strive to give back to Oregon agriculture as much as possible and support programs like Oregon FFA to promote future generations of students to pursue agriculture at Oregon State University.”

While Greek life can be life-changing for many, it’s not necessarily for everyone. Another incredible opportunity students have in the College is with Leadership Academy.

Where you Lead, I will Follow.

2023-2024 Leadership Academy cohort featuring students from the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Forestry.

The Leadership Academy has helped hundreds of students develop their soft skills via a year-long intensive training and mentorship program.

The Academy includes students from both the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Forestry and serves to strengthen and identify their leadership skills. Designed in response to industry demand for graduates to come prepared for the workforce with more soft skills, today 8 out of 10 students who participate in Leadership Academy have job offers before graduation.

According to Lisie Mae Luttrell, an Agricultural Science major and member of the 2022 cohort of Leadership Academy: “Through the academy I had the opportunity to be engaged in different leadership development assessments and group discussions. I was able to understand my leadership style in depth and discuss it with fellow cohort members who had similar or different experiences. This was an amazing opportunity to broaden my understanding of having an effective and engaging leadership style that can be utilized through my future careers. Without the leadership academy and our professors, I would not have had the opportunity to build my professional network within the agricultural community.”

Leadership Academy requires an application and is limited to a finite number of students each year, but there are more than 25 clubs in the College that offer similar soft skill training and networking opportunities.

Let’s Go Clubbing!

Clubs are a great way for students to connect with others who share similar interests. They allow students to gain a better perspective on their fields of interest through hands-on experience, and are a great way to cultivate lifelong friendships. Many of the clubs that are offered on campus are also offered to our E-campus students to provide the best experience for everyone who wants to be involved.

Club activities expand soft skills through industry tours, community service, professional development activities, and so much more. All clubs on campus help students become more adept at working in teams, expressing their ideas clearly, and taking on leadership roles, all of which are valuable skills for their personal and professional growth. College clubs not only enrich students’ college experiences but also equip them with essential soft skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Oregon State University’s Meat Science Club is for students interested in the processing, science, and consumption of meat products. Club members explore the ins and outs of different aspects of the meat science community including current research, harvesting methods, and cooking techniques.

Another popular club is Steer-a-Year, a faculty-led, student-run annual raising of 20-30 market calves. According to club member Jonathan Roth, “I have really enjoyed Steer-a-Year for two main reasons, it is an escape from school and I have met great people. I really enjoy going to the barn in the middle of the day just to hang out with the cows and get some time to de-stress. I also like getting up early to feed and look after them. There are also a lot of interesting and like minded people in the club that I have really enjoyed getting to know. Lastly, the advisors are extremely friendly and I can learn from them as well as feel like they are my friend. Through this club I have been able to connect with the College of Ag Sciences even when I don’t have any Ag classes. It also allows me to connect with faculty and students that I’ve met in class and build on those relationships.”

The ambassador program really helped me grow skills such as leadership, being a part of a team and public speaking.

Clubs are not just about production agriculture at the College. The Fish and Wildlife Club is a student-led organization for socialization and professional development for students with interests in wildlife and conservation sciences. According to Jacob Edwards, a Fisheries and Wildlife major: “We host many diverse events every term that will allow you to meet other students with similar interests, receive training and helpful information regarding getting hired and volunteering in wildlife research, and learn skills that will aid you on your journey in school and in the field. In addition to hosting events ourselves, we also serve as the student chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. Our affiliation with these amazing organizations provides our members with opportunities to network with career professionals and learn about the cutting edge of wildlife management and research. If you are passionate about wildlife and conservation and want to make the most out of your time at Oregon State University, then I urge you to consider joining the Fish and Wildlife Club and get affiliated with our amazing members.”

In addition to a broad selection of clubs, there are also a number of local chapters of national organizations that combine both academic and professional development opportunities.

Processing night with the Steer A Year Club, with students learning how to give the cattle growth implants.

Programs like the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANNERS) are both housed in the College of Agricultural Sciences and provide leadership opportunities for underrepresented students in agriculture and natural resource sciences. Students in the College of Agricultural Sciences who participate in MANRRS and SACNAS have been nationally recognized for their leadership and scientific achievement at conferences and research symposiums around the country. Most recently, thousands of students, scientists, and university leaders from all over the nation converged in Portland to equip, empower and energize the future of STEM at the National Diversity in STEM Conference (NDiSTEM).

NDiSTEM is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country. Over the course of the conference, college-level through professional attendees become immersed in cutting-edge STEM research, professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, and the Graduate School & Career Expo Hall, as well as multicultural celebrations in a broadly inclusive space that encourages and empowers participants to bring their whole selves to STEM.

According to Roberto Ponce Velez, a junior in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, View Fellow, and CAMP alumni expressed the significance of the NDiSTEM conference for multicultural students.

“The SACNAS conference was not only a warm welcome into a community of future and current scientists with similar experiences but an opportunity to remove the “armor” that we as people of color wear on a daily basis.”

The Value of Giving Back

Clubs and other activities are vital to the personal and professional development of students. But there are countless ways to grow while giving back to the college community.

The Ambassador program, for example, helps the College reach more prospective students while also helping current students refine their communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills. Engaging with diverse audiences fosters adaptability and cultural competence, while working collaboratively within a team structure hones teamwork and leadership abilities. The Ambassador Program offers ample opportunities to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving and these experiences instill a sense of confidence and resilience in participants, equipping them with a robust set of soft skills that extend far beyond their academic journey.

According to Hope Stansell, an Agricultural Sciences major: “The ambassador program really helped me grow skills such as leadership, teamwork and public speaking. I was also able to talk to others about something I’m super passionate about! Through the program I helped lead natural sciences tours, got more connected with the college’s professors through touring different departments and attending the dean’s dinner, helped at tabling events both on campus and off. I was able to travel to California for the World Ag Expo and to Redmond for the Oregon FFA Convention. Building these skills and connections has been one of the most valuable parts of my time at OSU.”

So, whether it’s through Greek life, leadership programs, clubs, or college ambassador programs, the opportunity to cultivate meaningful skills beyond the classroom is omnipresent at Oregon State. Not only are these opportunities a part of what makes College life memorable and fun, they also end up being some of the most important learning opportunities where lifelong connections are formed, and opportunities are born.

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