The 2012 Career Development Contest applications are due June 10.
Getting a dream job or prestigious scholarship begins with a solid resume and an interview. Each year, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) hosts a contest that prepares junior members for that first step toward their goals.
The Career Development Contest consists of juniors developing a resume and participating in a mock interview with industry professionals during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), held this year in Louisville, Ky.
“The Career Development Contest allows youth to receive direct feedback and connect with mentors in the cattle business,” says Robin Ruff, American Angus Association® director of junior activities. “I’d encourage all juniors to take part in this competition at the NJAS.”
To participate, juniors must send resumes and job descriptions to the Association by June 10. Resumes are evaluated based on content, design, organization, grammar and overall effectiveness. During the interview, judges assess the participant’s selling points, response to questions, language, appearance and overall performance.
2011 participant Shane Kerner, Weiser, Idaho, says the contest helps junior members gain experience answering multiple questions: “Practicing for an interview not only helps prepare juniors to think on their feet, but also helps them focus career and school plans.”
For the first time this year, the competition will be broken into two age divisions: the intermediate division, ages 14-17, and the senior division, ages 18-21. The intermediate age division creates a resume and participates in an interview aimed at receiving a scholarship award, while the senior division is focused on a full-time position. The new intermediate division is designed to give younger juniors the opportunity to gain early interview experience and develop goals for the future.
“Expanding the competition for younger members will be a terrific learning experience for them,” Ruff says. “If you begin practicing at 14 years old, imagine how comfortable you will be when it comes time to apply for scholarships and internships.”
For more information on how to participate in the 2012 Career Development Contest, visit www.angus.org/njaa.
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef organization, serving nearly 30,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.
