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The Early Career Committee falls under the Extension Development Council of NACAA and NCACAA. The committee is responsible for developing educational programs directed at NACAA members with five years or less tenure. There would be an opportunity to develop programs on a regional objective would be the development of an orientation program to new members in individual states. The objectives are:
Solicit input from new members regarding their expectations and training needs.
Develop means to encourage new and early career members to participate and continue involvement in NACAA and the AM/PIC.
Improve communications with early career members.
Provide opportunities for graduate, continuing education and other professional certification credits for professional improvement.
Encourage the development and utilization of mentoring programs in individual states.
Understanding the awards and professional improvement opportunities.
A Google documents site was formed for agents to submit information they think would help younger agents. This site can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/ncsu.edu/ncacaa/home/ncacaa-committees/early-career-development
The goal of the Google documents site is to have a warehouse of sources of information for new agents to use. Checklists for tours, field days, and helpful hints are included on the site. Under the direction of Danny Lauderdale, Director of the Northeast District Early Career Committee, committee members in the Northeast district (Lee Tyre and Jacob Searcy) surveyed young agents and ask if their needs are being met related to career development. The Northeast District committees asked that upper administration review these results and consider them as we move forward in helping these agents improve their skills. If we hire quality individuals, train them, provide them with appropriate resources and compensation, we can retain them.
The results of that survey can be found below:
Lee Tyre and I are currently serving on the NACAA Early Career Development committee and it is our job to assess the needs of new Agents. Please consider the questions below and return your answers to us by May 28th.
1. Do you feel NC Cooperative Extension has prepared you for your job? (i.e. training, workshops, or mentoring) YES / NO
Agents were split on this.
All would agree there is a steep learning curve with not much guidance, although getting better.
Agents said In-service-training is good, but very overwhelming
2. Do you feel NC Cooperative Extension has provided you the latest NCSU research data? YES / NO
Agents were split on this.
Ag Agents (fieldcrops, tobacco, and livestock) seem to think specialist were doing a good job keeping them up to date
Hort Agents seem to think there wasn’t much updated resources and few in-service-training opportunities
3. What would you like to see NC Cooperative Extension do more of to get that data to you? Please rate:
newsletters/reports
email updates
research station field tours
facts sheets
Horticulture: Facts sheets need to be updated
annual agent trainings (in Raleigh)
annual agent trainings (regional)
4. What else would help you at developing your career? Please list:
New Agents consider taking AEE 501 to understand the genesis of Extension
Clear defining of the Agent’s role and expectations
Consider assigning mentors for new Agents to emulate
5. What is the most discouraging thing about your job with NC Cooperative Extension? Please list:
Performance is based on reports, only
Can be hard putting dollar figures to reports
Raleigh’s emphasis for job responsibilities not the same the Agent’s or even client’s
Agents expected to handle multiple program responsibilities
Lack of pay increases
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Shooter
State Chair, Early Career Development
Early Career Development Committee
Michelle Shooter
Mark Tucker (NC)
Lee Tyre (NE)
Michelle Shooter (SC)
Charlotte Glen (SE)
Craig Adkins (WC)
Jeremy Delisle (W)
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