Over 40 of Murdoch University’s third-year animal science students attended two Extension and Adoption learning sessions with the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub’s (SW WA Hub) Adoption team.
SW WA Hub Adoption Manager Julianne Hill said the purpose of the sessions was to expose students to extension and build an understanding of the diversity of contexts within agriculture.
“It’s important for students to have a well-rounded understanding of the lay of the land,” she said.
“The extension sessions and the adoption assignment are designed to simulate the variability of contexts and test students’ agility ahead of stepping into a career in agriculture.”
The first session held on October 6 comprised three lectures covering adoption, extension models, and diversity of growers, respectively. This was followed by a ‘phone-a-farmer’ session where the students heard about on-ground adoption experiences from growers.
The second half-day session held on October 11 offered further support for the assignment and facilitated social styles self-assessment. Content demonstrated facilitation frameworks for extension, and supported student reflection, while highlighting the Hub and grower groups.
Facey Group Project Officer Kaitlyn Anderson talked about her experience of working for a grower group, and a Hub pre-recorded video featuring West Midlands Group project team members and their experience in extension events was also displayed.
Associate Lecturer for the Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute at Murdoch University Dr Emma Dunston-Clarke said the sessions gave the students a taste of the industry beyond university.
“Industry engagement within the Animal Science degree provides the opportunity for students to network while learning and applying skills to real-life scenarios,” she said.
“This also allows students to be exposed to a range of career opportunities, where understanding the roles and skills required empowers them to tailor their resumes, which will improve graduate employability.”
Ms Hill reinforced this saying the showcase of grower groups was a particularly valuable aspect of the sessions.
“Prior to these sessions, most of the students had their hearts set on the path of veterinary medicine,” she said.
“Highlighting the scope of career pathways available to them in their area of knowledge and skill helped open their minds to just how many opportunities are out there.
Taking a quick sweep of the room, Hub Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager and Adoption Officer Theo Nabben said he was thrilled to see students step out of their one-way thinking.
“It was encouraging to see students engaging during the sessions and hanging back afterwards to ask about jobs and placements with grower groups.”
Grower Groups interested in taking students for placement are encouraged to contact the Hub Adoption team to facilitate the connection via Julianne.Hill@gga.org.au.
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