Balancing life as a college student can seem daunting between classes, studying, working, and having a social life. It might seem overwhelming to consider participating in extracurricular activities and additional learning experiences on top of a busy schedule; however, for me. these opportunities were just as beneficial as time spent in class.

I graduated from Iowa State University this past spring, majoring in dairy science. During my time at Iowa State, I certainly took advantage of the extracurricular activities available to me. As a student, I was an active member of the ISU Dairy Science Club, the Dairy Judging Team, Dairy Challenge, and Dairy Challenge Social Media Corp. I also participated in a study abroad trip, internships, the URUS Dairy Consulting Experience, and acted as a teaching assistant. This might seem like an extensive list of activities, but they were all worth the effort to squeeze into my schedule.

While each activity offered its own experiences and taught me about different areas in the dairy industry, there were a few things that they all had in common. The first perk that each activity provided for me was new friendships and finding a community to be involved in while in school. It might seem intimidating to show up to a first club meeting or practice not knowing anyone in the room but taking that first uncomfortable step out of your comfort zone is some of the biggest advice I could give to any college student. Having been a transfer student, when I showed up to my first Dairy Challenge practice, I hardly knew anyone. By the end of that semester, I had new friendships and enjoyed my time at college more because of the relationship I had built. Chances are that the people you meet during one activity have similar interests and will be involved in the other activities you choose, and eventually, they may become your fellow colleagues within the dairy industry. These are relationships that are likely to last for years to come.

Extracurricular activities will also teach you skills that can’t always be taught in a classroom. Many of the activities you choose to participate in can provide you with the chance for more hands-on learning. Whether it is an internship, an optional learning experience, or a club project, they tend to take what you have learned in class and allow you to apply it. While participating, you will also be improving your soft skills. These skills can include things like communication, leadership, teamwork, time management, and public speaking. Many of these skills can be difficult for professors to teach in a class setting, yet they are skills that are seen as favorable to many of your future employers. These learning opportunities made me feel more prepared and confident for jobs after graduation.

The connections I created have also made these experiences invaluable. I have met and worked with many dairy professionals during my extracurricular activities. These connections are relationships I hope to maintain for years to come throughout my career. The dairy industry is such a small, tight-knit community that the connections you make could help lead to a future internship or a job. In some cases, they might be a familiar face you run into and enjoy catching up with at a future event.

The biggest takeaway I received from my experiences was learning more about myself. With each opportunity, it taught me a little something different. This allowed me to adjust throughout my educational experience. My career goals from day one to graduation shifted as I learned that my original plan wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I had learned that working in certain environments didn’t suit me and I thrived in other areas I had never considered. Had I not stepped out of my comfort zone to try certain experiences, I would have continued down the original path. Learning early on to make changes allowed me to better prepare for the new career path I chose within the dairy industry.

While I may have had a crazy schedule in school, ultimately, I couldn’t imagine my college experience any differently. The many activities I participated in molded my time in school. The best advice I could give to any student in college is to get involved, step out of your comfort zone, and make connections. And luckily the dairy industry provides so many opportunities for students and are great advocates for supporting the future of the industry.