[Communications] {AUA} AGNITOR Seeks Professionals to Chat About Their Careers with Students!

[Sam Bretz]

Hi all,

We are reaching out to request your help in securing professionals from the 
agriculture, food and natural resources industry for our upcoming Career 
Fair at *Marshall High School on Friday, March 21st (3250 W Adams St, 
Chicago, IL 60624). *Many of our students have expressed a strong interest 
in careers in fields such as animal care, research, conservation, turf 
management, food science, technology, and marine biology.

We are seeking one or two professionals who would be willing to dedicate a 
class period to chat with our students in-person about their careers, 
education and experiences. Below is the class schedule:




*• 4th Period (10:45–11:35): Seniors• 5th Period (11:40–12:30): Juniors• 
6th Period (12:35–1:25): Sophomores• 7th Period (1:30–2:20): Freshmen *

We are asking for a commitment to just one class period, though if anyone 
is available for additional periods, that would be fantastic!

If you know any professionals who would be willing to volunteer their time 
to help inspire students in the Agri-food industry, please let us know.

*Please reach out to Shanell: shanell at ilagrifood.org*

*About our AGNITOR <http://agnitor.org> program:*

AGNITOR is designed to ignite passion and foster awareness among youth 
about the diverse and rewarding career opportunities within Agriculture, 
Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) in Illinois. The program connects 
teachers, after-school programs, and community-based organizations, 
predominantly in underserved communities in Chicago, with Illinois’ diverse 
agri-food ecosystem via in-person and live streaming presentations with 
industry professionals. These volunteers are matched with classrooms to 
bring *real-world relevance and career exposure to students and show them 
that no matter their interest, background, skin color, gender, or career 
ambition, there is a wide world of opportunity in AFNR. *AGNITOR further 
enhances career connected learning through engagement in career fairs, 
professional development workshops, and community outreach. 

 

The program is stewarded by the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance and supported 
by its network of volunteers. A dedicated careers coordinator with 
expertise in workforce development and youth engagement was onboarded in 
2023 to implement the program. Since launch the program has seen 
significant impact, including:

   - 1,300+ middle and high school students engaged through 70+ career 
   chats with 95% indicating increased interest in AFNR careers in post-chat 
   surveys.
   - 5,000+ middle and high school students reached via career fairs, with 
   career connections focused on the breadth of opportunities across AFNR in 
   Illinois.
   - Impactful partnerships with 10+ schools and 20+ employers and 
   community organizations to increase career exploration opportunities.
   - Growing network of AFNR volunteer professionals, including strong 
   representation of minority professionals. 
   - Active engagement in local, state, and national conferences and youth 
   educational initiatives, including Women Changing the Face of Agriculture, 
   FFA, MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related 
   Sciences) Conference & Career Expo, Project Exploration, and Nourish the 
   Future.
   

-- 
For more urban agriculture news, information and opportunities, visit AUA at http://auachicago.org/
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