Nicole McMullen, a junior studying agriscience education, earned the top award in the interview contest during the virtual Region V Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences cluster. She will represent Ohio State and Region V at the National MANRRS Conference in the spring.

MANRRS is a national society of people of all racial and ethnical groups in agricultural and related science careers with a focus on promoting these fields in a positive manner among ethnic minorities. Region V includes MANRRS chapters from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The interview contest is an opportunity to practice real-life skills that are needed to apply for a job. Participants prepare a resume and a cover letter for a job they chose from the Interview Contest Job Descriptions. Contestants also are evaluated on their performance during a mock interview.

The goal of this contest is for participants to consistently meet and practice the skills that bring the benefits of comfort in interview scenarios: confidence, critical thinking, effective verbal and written communication, impromptu speaking, self-esteem, and nonverbal practice and awareness.

“We are proud of Nicole for the growth and effort she put forward to lead to success in this contest,” says Shannon Washburn, OSU professor of agriscience education and chair for the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. “Participation in organizations like MANRRS and the opportunities they provide to students are valuable in the development of their careers. Nicole will benefit greatly from this experience as she enters the agricultural education profession.”

In 2019, McMullen was awarded first place in the impromptu speech contest for Region V. She completed a virtual internship this past summer with John Deere, which she obtained during a career fair at the 2019 Region V MANRRS cluster at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Agriscience education is one of three undergraduate majors within ACEL. This major prepares students to acquire a license to teach agricultural science in secondary schools through extensive training in agriculture science, educational psychology, instructional methods and youth development.

For additional information on the agriscience education major or how to make a financial contribution to student scholarships, visit acel.osu.edu.

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