Alex Ball
Mary Gates Leadership Scholar
Winter 2023
Major: Environmental Science & Resource Management
Mentor: Perry Acworth, UWBG/SEFS/College of the Environment
Project
Leadership Project: UW Farm Campus Food Systems Internship
I worked with UW Farm staff and groups of student volunteers to coordinate, harvest, package, and deliver organic produce to UW dining outlets on a weekly basis. I also communicated with heads of UW dining to set up an end-of-year meeting and discuss their relationship with the UW Farm for the coming year.
What I learned
Working on a small-scale organic farm has taught me proper harvest, washing, and packaging processes for produce. Through managing groups of student and community volunteers on the farm, I also gained valuable leadership experience. Finally, the project of setting up a meeting between the UW Farm and UW dining taught me how to communicate in a professional setting.
Advice for future applicants
Even if your project doesn’t align with your exact career goals, see it as an opportunity to learn new skills and broaden your perspective. This may even change your path, and at the very least will make you more valuable to future employers.
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