New Ag Job Board Connects STEM Job Seekers to Western Growers Members Nearly 215 students have participated in the Careers in Ag program, and to further provide these students with easy access to jobs in agriculture, Western Growers recently created a Careers in Ag Job Center. The Job Center, which was officially rolled out in July 2019, is a jobs platform exclusively for STEM-related careers within the agricultural industry. “Our new job board connects candidates directly to highly-skilled, high-paying jobs and makes the hiring and recruitment process easier for our farmers who are busy trying to feed the nation and world,” said Nassif. The new job board showcases STEM jobs in the fresh produce industry and provides a streamlined interface that gives employers and candidates an easy-to- use matching process. The job board is currently a complimentary service for all job seekers and Western Growers members and is accessible online at www. agjobboard.com.
various departments met with the students to showcase the wide variety of jobs available within the company. Some interacted with the career panel and was later selected for a summer internship in Gowan’s research department in Yuma, AZ. In addition to facilitating career placement between students and agricultural organizations, the Careers in Ag program has also had a hand in guiding educational pathways. Nathalie Gomez first participated in the Careers in Ag program when she was a freshman at UC Davis. At the time, Gomez was pursuing a degree in biochemistry, but after attending the June 2018 tour she had a change of heart. “When we toured Seminis, I noticed how happy everyone was doing what they were doing,” said Gomez. “You could tell the employees were passionate about their job, and it got me really excited. With biochem, I never felt that way.” Gomez attended one more Careers in Ag trek in December 2018 before taking the leap and changing her major. “Steve Powell of Peter Rabbit Farms and Jack Vessey from Vessey and Company really inspired me. After hearing how each day can be a battle but they do what they do
because they love it and no two days are the same really hit home for me,” said Gomez. When she returned to school, she immediately changed her major to plant science and plans to pursue plant breeding or postharvest positions when she graduates. Travis Taylor during the Careers in Ag tour
Nathalie Gomez (middle) at Peter Rabbit Farms
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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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