CASNR Students Follow their Dreams Recent UNL Alumni Share the Impact of CASNR

by Written by Karla Nichols and Kiaya Radke

November 26, 2024

A sunset over of fall corn field.

Interview with: Cole McClurg, Alec Weisser, Anna Kobza, and Kristine Dvoracek-Jameson

While the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a large university of approximately 50,000 people, students rarely feel the large size of the university on East Campus in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Instead, CASNR faculty are approachable, helpful, and regularly serve as mentors while students determine future careers. 

While college choices may be daunting, CASNR provides a welcoming environment by helping students find a career that aligns with personal passions. There are several opportunities for students to build a community with their peers, instructors, and industry leaders to prepare for successful careers.

Recent CASNR alumni that graduated within the last five years from four different programs were invited to share their career stories. Throughout these conversations, it was evident that CASNR provides a special place where faculty and students work closely and many times, the experiences on east campus are what led these students to their current careers. 

These alumni students were invited to share their experience:

  • Cole McClurg, a 2023 turfgrass and landscape management graduate from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is currently the assistant superintendent at CapRock Ranch Golf Club in Valentine, Nebraska.
  • Alec Weisser, a 2021 water science graduate from the School of Natural Resources is currently a hydrologist with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) - Nebraska, based in Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Anna Kobza, a 2020 animal science graduate from the Department of Animal Science is currently a doctoral student in the same department and works as a research coordinator in the ruminant nutrition metabolism area.
  • Kristine Dvoracek-Jameson, a 2022 agribusiness graduate from the Department of Agribusiness is currently the Executive Director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association based in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Being a successful CASNR graduate shortly after their time spent on East Campus is quite common and these alumni believe that is due partly to the commitment to students from many across the college.

 

CASNR Guides Students and Builds Networks

Within CASNR, there are over 30 different degree programs and faculty not only help students gain knowledge within their career field, but also help them pursue their passion.

“I did not know exactly what I wanted to do or whether I wanted to get a certain internship, but my advisor helped me by providing information to make these decisions,” Weisser said.

CASNR faculty also build relationships with students by giving them access to multiple tools, resources, and guiding them to build new networks.

“Meeting your advisor and talking with teachers is important because there are a lot of important contacts you will meet,” McClurg.

Weisser mentioned similar experiences.

“I’ve been amazed at how many contacts I have from my time at UNL,” Weisser said.

These networks also have helped students get jobs and other opportunities.

“My professor at UNL was my reference for my current job,” Dvoracek-Jameson said.

Through her contacts at the university, Dvoracek-Jameson was also given the opportunity to speak with Nebraska LEAD and inform the class about the different opportunities that are available for sorghum producers and consumers within the state of Nebraska. 

 

CASNR Students Embrace the Unknown

Getting to experience new opportunities through CASNR helps students learn and grow while encouraging people to embrace things they may have never experienced before.

“I really appreciate that encouragement to step outside of my comfort zone because it forced me to grow a lot and I got to learn a lot of new things and meet a lot of new people,” Kobza said.

Further, meeting new people makes an easier transition from high school to college and college to career. Meeting new people just seems easier in CASNR, due to the smaller campus size.

“I never pictured my life not going to UNL, but I met people quickly once I got here and felt right at home.” Dvoracek-Jameson said, “It was like I never left the small town, because everybody still knew everybody.”

 

Advice for Current CASNR Students

It is valuable to learn from those before us, so these CASNR graduates also provided specific insight to current students on how to continue to develop future leaders in their respective fields. The quotes below are offered to current or prospective students to give advice on how to get the most out of their college career as a CASNR student.

  1. “Keep a very open mind when it comes to trying to figure out what to do after college, taking time while young to go somewhere, learn something new, and get out of your comfort zone is very valuable for personal growth.” - Anna Kobza
  2. The University and state of Nebraska are full of people that are willing to help you through your career and in life, so meet a lot of people, ask questions and keep in touch.” - Cole McClurg
  3. “What helped me to progress in my career is just taking the initiative and asking questions, even if you're not entirely sure on how to do something, just put the extra time in to figure things out.” - Alec Weisser
  4. “Get an internship with a career field you are interested in, even if you have to do some of the not so fun things, it will pay off in the end.” - Kristine Dvoracek-Jameson

It is evident from this advice that these CASNR graduates valued their time on east campus, and based on their success since graduation, CASNR helped them find their career path.

Whether students are getting to know each other, exploring various career opportunities, or making connections with industry leaders, students gain many experiences through the CASNR program. 

To learn more about opportunities in CASNR and the career options available, visit CASNR.unl.edu. To share your CASNR alumni story, please email sdn.unl.edu - we would love to tell more CASNR alumni success stories. 

 

Key Takeaways:

  1. CASNR builds personable relationships with students in guiding them towards careers that align with student passions. 
  2. CASNR alumni that graduated within the last five years share their career stories. 
  3. Four conversations with recent CASNR alumni found it evident that the CASNR faculty to be approachable, helpful and mentors when determining their future careers. 
  4. CASNR faculty provide guidance before and after graduation through sharing industry knowledge, providing reference letters for job opportunities, and offering career advice.
  5. To learn more about opportunities in CASNR and the career options available visit CASNR.unl.edu.