Christy Goldhawk grew up in the city but her interest in cattle led her to the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program.
Now nearing the end of her year-long participation, Goldhawk said the experience was worth the time invested and she recommends it to others.
The program matches 16 people ages 18 to 35 with mentors in the beef industry. Mentors are selected to suit the interests and goals of program participants.
Goldhawk is working on her doctorate at the veterinary school in Calgary. As a scientist with an interest in cattle, she said she wanted to learn how to better communicate with those who could benefit from her research.
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Owen Roberts, director of research communications at the University of Guelph, was assigned as her mentor.
Goldhawk said he guided her in various methods of communication and introduced her to numerous industry contacts that she thinks will be useful throughout her career.
“It’s more than your one mentor because there’s so many opportunities to meet people.”
On Jan. 24, the CYL program gained another sponsor with the addition of UFA Co-operative Ltd., which will donate $70,000 over the next three years. It joins Cargill, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Alberta Meat and Livestock Agency as program sponsors.
Fawn Jackson, manager of the CYL program for the CCA, said the program is going national this year, after starting out in its first year as an Alberta program.
Feb. 25 is the deadline for applications to the 2012 program. Last year, there were more than 50 applicants for the 16 program spots.
“That’s not meant to discourage anybody from applying,” said Jackson. The interview process itself can be valuable for applicants even if they aren’t selected.
That process involves a “round table” interview process with beef industry leaders.
“These are the leaders of our industry so when you bring them into a room together and for an event together, the excitement and enthusiasm and knowledge and innovation … is absolutely phenomenal,” Jackson said.
Goldhawk described it as intimidating but educational in teaching people to express their ideas clearly and succinctly.
“To be honest, I was really intimidated to apply,” she said.
“I love beef and I want to get more interested in it and I want to help (producers) to reach their consumers and communicate a lot better. So that kind of pushed me.”
Those selected for the CYL program each get $2,000 to cover expenses related to the program.
Jackson said that often involves travel to conventions, meetings or interviews with experts in the participant’s field of interest.
The participant and the mentor make a plan at the beginning of the mentorship, set goals and decide how those goals will be met, she said.
“You can get out of the program pretty much what you put into it.”
Program applications and more information are available at www.cattlemensyoungleaders.com.
