Tucker Dean

Dr. Atchley

5-3-2017

Spring Block Seminar

ALE Reflection

Within the Discipline

In college, I thoroughly enjoyed my Livestock management class not only

because I thought that I would use what I learned in it but I was just generally interested
in honing my skills as a livestock producer. We covered all the basics for a brief time,
then dove head first into the important topics. While being on my internship I find,
myself referring to notes and practicing what was taught. For example, keeping forages
plentiful and off the bare ground to reduce the risk of anthelmintic ingestion. Agricultural
mechanical services Was another great class where I gained knowledge of Ag practices I have
never encountered first hand until then. My internship has required me to be involved in hay
production, and that was one of the main topics from class. The final class I have used skills
learned from it the most in my internship is Lab Techniques in Ag mechanics. During the duration
of the semester I was enrolled in this class I kept thinking to myself that this was the most
realistic and useful class I have taken at Tarleton. We learned how to wire a new light switch,
pour concrete for fence posts and how to order more, how to stain wood, fix broken pipes and
anything else you may to do in life. A lot of people dont know how to do things like that. So, I
am thankful to have learned something applicable to real life. I have poured a lot of concrete on
my internship and fixed many wiring issues, so its safe to say I put my skills to use.

Beyond the Discipline

Communications class junior year, Thank the lord I had the professor I did. He allowed us to give a
speech however we wanted and didnt require us to turn in an outline and other useless fluff. He let us be
adults and give a presentation however we wanted to. Ive been giving speeches since middle school for
FFA. I find it hard to create an outline and structure to a speech, I have always just written one and
memorized it. Or wrote a few key points down and talked my little heart away. But after each speech my
professor would critique us and the only flaw was that I used filler words when changing topics. I took
that to heart and practiced not using um. Since then I have used that to my advantage and conducted
numerous meeting and sales pitches while on internships. I am always open to learn more and see my
flaws from another perspective. Speech class helped me see one I didnt know I had!

Sitting in geology class I was bored to death. I had to have a science class and it was the effortless way
out. But after my first lab I fell in love. I Was very interested in the hands-on approach to Geology. We
learned to read types of maps I had never seen before, analyzed rocks and minerals, and most importantly
studied erosion. We have had problems with erosion around our land and in our fields, so coming into the
internship I was able to assess the situation and give advice on how to fix it.

Finally study abroad is the last out of discipline study that has contributed the most to my success today.
Although it was a Ag study abroad, I would not count it as a part of my general study. I was in Europe for
two and a half weeks immersing myself in the way of life they call normal. I was opened to new
agricultural practices we do not have here. And saw new perspectives that allowed me to return home and
share what I saw to others in hopes of applying the positive differences to benefit them. But the best part
about the trip is being able to strike up conversations about what I did and show pictures to employers and
family.

Beyond Academics

I served as a Tarleton Transition Mentor for two years as well as being on orientation staff both years.
This is how I made all the on-campus connections I have today. I facilitated the transition of freshman
into college life. Through this I built my communication, organization and leadership skills. These are
essential to being an effective employee or boss for obvious reasons.

In high school, I judged livestock and received a full ride scholarship to do it at the collegiate level but
denied it to come to Tarleton. I learned how to assess livestock by looks instead of using the Formulas
they teach you in college. Being able to this is a rare skill and saves a lot of time. On my internship, I
Assess livestock every day and can give my boss good suggestions for feeding, welfare and other choices
he may have to make. He knows how experienced I am at this and trusts me 100%. If that doesnt make
you feel important I dont know what will. I have enjoyed being able to have a big say in the cattle
operation being as young as I am.
Interconnectedness

Education, Real life Experiences, Culture shocks, Tough situations and relationships throughout college
all combine to form a formula to success. Undeniably I have become the person I am destined to be due to
all the Trials and errors I have been through and learned through. My internship has tested my skills and
demanded me to make changes in my life just like college did.

Global Awareness

I am not a small-minded person but I am very stereotypical, and that has to do with how I was raised in
combination with all that I have seen and experienced throughout life. Stereotypes are very real and must
be expected unless proven differently on an individual basis. Stereotypes are human nature but I feel like
since I am so well rounded and cultured and I still see stereotypes I either need to keep traveling and
experiencing new cultures, OR that stereotypes are here for a reason That I havent yet figured out yet. All
I can do is be open minded and keep trying to break that barrier or validate a positive meaning behind
them.

Broader Implications

The impact my education and experiences have had on me are un parallel to just going about life without
challenging myself. I am thankful for Tarleton and everyone who has put in their time to help me make
the most of mine.