NCTA Career Fair is Thursday

By NCTA News

Agricultural industry employers plan for some engaging conversations in Curtis Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The NCTA Career Fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Student Union, located near 404 E. 7^th Street, said Kevin Martin, with NCTA Student Services.

Aggie students and attendees will have opportunity to visit with about 20 employment recruiters from agricultural businesses, animal health companies, and industries such as agronomy, livestock management and natural resources.

“It sounds like internships are going to be a big selling point this year,” Martin said. “I advise our students to dress up, bring a resume and be ready to talk with employers.”

Area residents and individuals seeking agricultural employment are invited. There is no charge for individuals to attend. Companies pay a fee for a display space.

“Servi-Tech’s goal is to engage and identify top talent to bring into the agronomic advising industry,” said Mark Morten, Certified Crop Advisor and Western Territory Leader with Servi-Tech, Inc.

“We are always on the lookout for both full-time and summer intern candidates. Many of our summer interns are offered full-time positions at the completion of their internships,” Morten said.

Help wanted: Job Postings

NCTA posts job opportunities at the Career Service board of the NCTA Resource Center and online at https://ncta.unl.edu/full-part-time-jobs.

There is strong demand for many positions, including vacancies with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Unfortunately, federal and some state agencies are not able to attend face-to-face events (due to COVID),” Martin noted.

Southwest Nebraska area USDA offices of the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are advertising employment opportunities.

WESTCO, which spans much of western Nebraska to Torrington, Wyo., has openings for an agronomist at Gering and summer interns at several locations, said Greta Birch, precision ag specialist and intern program coordinator.

"Specifically, we are looking for summer interns,” Birch said. “They shadow our agronomists, help us during our busy season with product and deliveries, and are out scouting fields, tissue sampling and more.”

In recent years, Aggies on the NCTA Crop Judging Teams have worked at WESTCO locations in Alliance, Scottsbluff, and Gering.  Aggie alumni are employed throughout the state in agronomy and crop consulting businesses.

Job fair attendees do not need to register in advance. The venue is open to the public, entering primarily at the west or north entrances of the Student Union. Refreshments may be purchased at Chandie's Castle, the NCTA deli which adjoins the Student Union gymnasium on the northeast. 

In previous years, the Career Fair was located in the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center. The event is now at the Student Union to provide greater space and social distancing, and access to NCTA Food Service.  Employers who may wish to attend this year's Career Fair, should contact Martin soon at kmartin4@unl.edu.