By Emma Wyman, Lincoln Land Community College

The Growing Careers in Ag Mentorship Experience, funded by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and offered through Lincoln Land Community College, has been one of the most valuable opportunities I have been a part of.

This experience allowed me, as a student, to explore career possibilities in agriculture. Through each visit, conversation and hands-on activity, I gained a deeper understanding of the many pathways available within the agriculture industry. I also developed a great appreciation for the networking opportunities created through interactions with professionals working in these fields. This program has not only expanded my knowledge of agriculture as a whole but also has helped strengthen my confidence for my future career goals.

For me personally, getting to visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and meet with Dan Sahm was one of the most impactful experiences of the Growing Careers in Ag Mentorship Program. Going into the visit, I already had a strong interest in conservation-related careers, so I was excited to learn more about the work being done through the USDA and NRCS. By the end of the experience, I walked away with even more knowledge, connections and confidence towards my future education and career goals than I expected. One of the most valuable parts of the visit was gaining a firsthand look at what a career in conservation looks like on a day-to-day basis through guided field walks that showed past and ongoing projects. Seeing the responsibilities, duties and problem-solving involved in the role helped reinforce my interest in pursuing a career connected to conservation and natural resources. It was also interesting to learn about the wide range of people and operations that NRCS serves, beyond just farmers as I envisioned. They serve a multitude of different land and property owners. Before this experience, I had not fully realized how diverse the agency’s outreach and impact really was. In addition to learning about the job itself, I gained practical advice that will help me professionally in the future. Dan shared helpful insights into the government hiring process, including resume-building tips and ways to strengthen future applications. I could go on about the visit! I also appreciated learning about the many conservation programs that have been developed over time to address different agricultural and environmental challenges. The experience showed me how conservation work continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of producers, landowners and communities.

Another memorable experience through this mentorship program was visiting Farm Credit Illinois at their home office in Mahomet. Before the visit, I only knew the basics about the company and the services it provided. However, after spending time with the staff and learning more about the organization, I gained a much deeper understanding of the many career paths and opportunities available within agricultural finance. One of the biggest takeaways from the experience was the welcoming atmosphere created by the employees, which made it feel like a company I would want to be a part of. The staff was incredibly friendly, informative and willing to share their experiences. The visit also changed my perspective on who can succeed within the agriculture industry. Many employees shared that they did not necessarily come from farming backgrounds, yet they were still able to build meaningful and successful careers in agriculture. That was inspiring to hear because it reinforced the idea that agriculture offers opportunities for people of all different backgrounds. Personally, this was encouraging as I am from a non-dominant ag background. In addition to learning about careers, I also discovered how Farm Credit can serve as a valuable resource in the future through financial services, scholarships, internships and professional development opportunities. Hearing about these programs showed me how invested the company is in supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Participants of ISA’s mentorship program at Farm Credit IL 

Our visit to Precision Planting provided me with yet another eye-opening perspective on the diversity of careers within agriculture. Before this experience, I understood that the company focused on improving farming technology, but I did not fully realize the scale of its innovation, operations and impact on modern agriculture. During the visit, I learned how Precision Planting develops equipment and technology designed to improve farmers’ profitability, efficiency and overall productivity. What stood out most to me was seeing the amount of creativity, engineering and problem-solving that goes into developing these products. From product design to testing and performance improvements, it became clear that innovation in agriculture is constantly evolving and that the possibilities for future advancements are nearly limitless. One of the most interesting parts of the experience was getting a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s large-scale assembly and manufacturing operations. Seeing the level of detail and precision involved in creating equipment was incredibly impressive. I was also surprised to learn about the international reach of the company and how its products and technology are helping farmers far beyond Illinois. I found that balance between office work, innovation and hands-on field experience very appealing, as it reflects the nature of many roles at Precision Planting.

Participants and mentors in the program at Precision Planting

Although I couldn’t attend the visit to Beck’s Hybrids in person, I still appreciated the effort the mentors made to keep me involved and informed, and I felt it was very important to highlight their commitment to inclusion. They were very helpful in providing contact information, career resources and a summary of the topics discussed during the experience. Their willingness to ensure I still gained value from the visit demonstrated the supportive environment that the Growing Careers in Ag mentorship program creates for students.

One of the major topics highlighted during the Beck’s experience was agricultural sales and the important role it plays within the industry. By this, I gained a better understanding of how sales professionals work directly with farmers to provide products, solutions and support that help operations succeed. It also showed me that successful careers in agriculture are built not only on technical knowledge but also on communication, relationship-building and customer service skills.

I believe one of the most unique experiences during the mentorship program was visiting Pace Analytical. This visit introduced me to an area of agriculture and environmental science that I had never personally explored before. Going into the experience, I did not know much about the company or the important role laboratory testing plays within agriculture and environmental safety, which made the experience even more valuable. During the visit, we were able to participate in the testing process from start to finish and gain hands-on experience inside the laboratory. For the day, we became “scientists” weighing and measuring solutions, observing procedures and studying results. It was interesting to see the level of precision, detail and responsibility required in laboratory work. The company conducts water sample testing and environmental safety analysis, helping ensure that important standards are met to protect people, agriculture and the environment. While I learned that working in a laboratory may not personally be the career path I pursue, I still gained a deep appreciation for the knowledge, skill and dedication involved in the work.

Jaylyn and Emma at Pace Analytical in Peoria

Most importantly, our visit with the Illinois Soybean Association. Though it looked a little different this year due to weather uncertainties, requiring the experience to be moved online, the ISA team did an outstanding job providing an engaging and informative experience. Everyone came together to ensure we still received a high level of insight into the organization, its mission, and the many career opportunities connected to it. One of the biggest takeaways from the session was learning how many different teams and roles work together to support Illinois agriculture. While each department operates with its own responsibilities and areas of expertise, they all contribute toward the shared goal of supporting farmers and strengthening the future of the soybean industry. I also gained a much greater understanding of how the Illinois Soybean Checkoff supports research, education, promotion, market development and profitability for future generations of farmers. Before this mentorship experience, I did not fully realize how much work happens behind the scenes to advocate for producers and invest in the future of agriculture. One statement shared by several employees especially resonated with me: their favorite part of the job was the variety and unpredictability that comes with working in agriculture. They explained that every day brings something new, whether it is solving challenges, working with different people or adapting to changes within the industry. I found that very intriguing because it highlighted how dynamic and constantly evolving agriculture careers can be.

Overall, the Growing Careers in Ag mentorship program provided me with opportunities and experiences that I would not have received in a traditional classroom setting. It allowed me to explore many sides of the agriculture industry, gain professional connections, learn from experienced mentors and better understand where my interests and career goals fit within the field. Programs like this are incredibly important because they connect students directly with professionals and real-world experiences that help shape future career decisions. As agriculture continues to evolve, it’s crucial to have mentorship opportunities like Growing Careers in Ag to help prepare the next generation of leaders, innovators and advocates who will continue supporting the industry for years to come.