An awesome experience with AgriFutures Horizon scholarship

To meet this exciting challenge, the annual AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship workshop held in Wagga Wagga incorporated a ‘Talking 2030’ pitch session which involved students pitching their big ideas, shark-tank style, to a panel of expert judges.

‘Game Changers’ was the focus for this year’s workshop as the agricultural industry is constantly evolving and developing with innovation and new technology and teams of students from across the country formulated their own strategy within this topic.

One AgriFutures Horizon scholar who participated was Jasmine Whitten, who is in her fourth year at University of New England studying for a bachelor degree in Rural Science.

Ms Whitten is from a cattle station near Hughenden in northern Queensland was sponsored by Australian Eggs. 

“I came into the scholarship with a background in beef cattle, but I was partnered with Australian Eggs,” she said.

“Through that partnership, my career prospects have actually changed.”

 Ms Whitten admits she is now contemplating a career within the poultry industry, a decision which is a diametrically opposed to her original choice of the beef industry, but nevertheless has expanded her horizon.

“It is a completely different direction from what I originally expected,” she said.

Ms Whitten completes her Rural Science degree in October and said she is considering the various career options open to her.

“I am looking at which direction I will take,” she said.

“I want to find a way to share my knowledge with the agricultural industry and actually improve it.”

Within her framework, Ms Whitten is deliberating over an advisory or technical role into which she can channel her passion.

Although she initially preferred the option of a meat industry-sponsored scholarship, Ms Whitten is embracing the opportunity of working within the poultry industry.

“I had never imagined a life that didn’t involve cattle, [having the chance to work with poultry] got me thinking,” she said. 

“It doesn’t matter what industry I partnered with in the program, I would learn new skills and and a completely new industry and that is exciting.”

Throughout Ms Whitten’s partnership with Australian Eggs, she has had the opportunity of industry work experience, securing an internship with D.A Hall and Company, Millmeran, Qld, working on a number of projects.

“I helped design a graduate program, and I had the experience of dealing with nutrition along with other facets of their business,” she said.

“That was mind-blowing awesome! … it was so exciting, and I can’t imagine not having the chance of dabbling in all aspects like that.”

Ms Whitten believes agriculture has a great future in this country and there will be many more career opportunities, especially as the various industries work towards the ‘100 billion dollar-goal’. 

“I don’t think students at school realise all the opportunities that are available in agriculture,” she said.

“It is opportunities like the Horizon Scholarship that open our minds to where we could actually go.

“I keep telling first-year students, the truth is you are looking at jobs right now, but the jobs you will be applying for in four years probably haven't even been created yet.”

Ms Whitten said it is impossible to predict how future agricultural industries will look, but having the skills and experience derived from innovations like the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship will help people have satisfying careers.

“We have to be prepared and adaptable for when that change comes,” she said.