We all have skills – things we’re better at than others. Perhaps more important than the raw skills we possess are curiosity and teachability. I hope I was able to leave that thought with some college students recently.

It’s rare for me to be the subject of an interview, but those tables were turned on me when I was interviewed on a video call by college students from Iowa State University in mid-November. Students in a Survey of Agricultural Communication’s class were assigned to interview someone in agricultural communications. Questions in my case centered on my typical day, various challenges of my job, and some forward-thinking questions on advice or tips I might offer.

The questions were a good exercise in extemporaneous communication, something I’m not as gifted at as I might be with writing or photography. I envy those who have that ability to speak on a host of topics with little or no notes and hold an audience while they speak.

Nevertheless, these opportunities can be teaching moments. To one of the questions I was asked, I shared the need for curiosity and teachability. This doesn’t merely apply to some 20-something undergraduate or graduate student. We could all do well to always learn something new. My late grandfather talked about learning something new every day.

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This wasn’t the first time I had the opportunity to chat with college students studying agricultural communications. I’ve spoken twice with ag communications students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and once at Modesto Junior College about what I do through the invitations of professors I know. Each time I’ve tried to come away with new knowledge.

I know people who mentor others through ag leadership programs. The thought of sharing wisdom and knowledge has grown on me through conversations with farmers and industry leaders who give of their time in these programs.

Someone encouraged me to consider this two summers ago after attending the Ag Media Summit for the first time.

Since AMS I was encouraged to become more involved with college students considering careers in ag communications. I know that mine story isn’t a stellar example of how one embarks on such a journey, but I do have a story to tell and, hopefully, some wisdom to share.

Curiosity has worked well for me. Learning how to ask good questions requires knowing enough about a particular topic, which takes time. I like to joke that my work as an ag journalist is affording me a free graduate level degree (where the learning never stops) from the farmers and university professors I get to talk with and interview.

Many thanks to Alyssa Rockers, assistant professor at Iowa State University, for the invitation to speak with some of her students and the mental exercise this generated. I hope to sharpen these skills while encouraging the next generation of ag communicators.