Jeffery Marburger

Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

ALE Reflection

Starting out my college career I believed that I knew exactly what I was going to do with
my life. I loved to be outdoors and hunt so therefore I decided to go into Wildlife. However, as
I began to think about my actual future and a career, I had to step back and look at what I exactly
planned on doing for the rest of my life. I did not just want a job, I wanted a career that I enjoyed
going to each and every day. I was told to think about my experiences growing up and what I
had enjoyed the most and explore a possible career in that field. It did not take me long to figure
out that I wanted to do something involved with 4-H and that is when I looked into becoming a
County Extension Agent.
Some of the classes that were specific to my discipline and stand out to me as being
helpful and beneficial include Animal Science, Principals of Horticulture, Fundamentals of Crop
Production and Animal Related Systems. I believe that these classes actually intertwine between
each other with their skills and knowledge needed. When working in the agricultural field these
are all areas that you actually use a lot of the same type of skills:
1) Critical Thinking in all these areas you will be using logic and reasoning to identify
the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions and/or approaches to
various problems that people may have within the county.
2) Judgment and Decision Making when working with big time farmers and small
time gardeners, you need to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential
actions to choose the most appropriate one.
3) Time Management learning to manage one's own time and the time of others in
order to be as productive as possible and achieve the best possible results.
4) Systems Analysis as an agent you always have to help determine how a system
should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will
affect outcomes.
A few types of knowledge needed for this discipline is also learned throughout each of the
classes I have mentioned:
1) Biology basic knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells,
functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment
play a major role in this field.
2) Production and Processing having the knowledge of raw materials, production
processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the
effectiveness of various areas.

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

3) Sales and Marketing - knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting,
and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product
demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems for not only adults but the
youth as well.
4) Education and Training - knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and
training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the
measurement of training effects to help lead the community.
I listened to the professors in these classes and at the time wondered how some of the things they
were talking about would be anything I would need to learn. However, as I worked through this
Internship, it made a lot more sense to me being in the real world. I needed these skills and
knowledge in my day to day functioning in the office and outside of the office.
There were a couple classes outside of my discipline that at the time, I have to admit, I
complained about taking and said as many students do, Why on earth do I need to take this
class? I found out that a few of those along with a couple others were in fact very helpful.
Technical Writing is a class that was very hard for me due to the fact that I did not have a very
good background from my High School days in writing. Skills learned in the class that are
needed in most every profession include:
1) Write clearly and concisely: The ability to write well and convey information to the
intended audience in an easily understood manner. People are not going to listen to
what you have to say if you cannot present it in a clear and understandable format.
2) Be proficient in using the tools of the trade: Knowing your way around computer
systems is a given. You also need to be able to learn quickly and become proficient
using computer applications associated with producing your documentation such as
Adobe Frame Maker, MS Word, Photoshop, and Illustrator to name just a few. One
of the first things I had to do was make a flyer for an upcoming event.
Public Speaking in something that I have had practice in since I was in third grade due to my
time spent in 4-H. Taking this class helped me to refine some of my public speaking skills.
1) Proper eye contact is one of the most important skills you need in public speaking.
You must look at your audience and show confidence in what you are saying if you
expect them to listen to you.
2) Your body language is one of the factors that will determine the success or failure of
your speech. Besides the actual speech, the audience will notice how your body
moves as it is used to emphasize an idea. Your facial expressions, your hand
movements and even the movements of your feet could be used on your speech so

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

that you can effectively communicate to your audience. I have received many
compliments on my speaking abilities and confidence in doing so over the years.
Sociology was one of those classes that I felt was a waste of time when I signed up for it but as
the class moved along and I learned more I realized how beneficial it really could be in the real
world.
1) This class helped to explore big challenges facing society, such as environmental
sustainability, public health, or human rights. These factors change depending
upon the area in which you are living and working within the state and even the
county.
2) It also helped to learn about cultural and ethnic diversity within our society. You
can drive from one end of the town to the other and see quite a difference even in
a small town.
Wildlife and Conservation Management was taken when I thought I was going to be in the
wildlife field but it also helped relate to being a county agent.
1) Understand basic wildlife management concepts and how they coincide with the
farming and ranching in the area is an important attribute in this field.
2) Understanding habits and habitat of specific game species within the area you are
serving and helping the hunters and non-hunters co-exist peacefully is also important.
So what I learned in fact is that almost every class I have taken has taught me something that will
help me and be beneficial in my chosen profession. You have to be willing to be open to
learning new things and actually putting that knowledge into play when you are out and about on
a day to day basis.
I was fortunate enough to have several experiences outside of the classroom that were
very involved with wonderful learning experiences. I attended the Big Time in D-9 4-H
contest and competition days at Alvin Community College. During this experience I was able to
be a part of a finalized project and watch the finished work unfold as the contests took place over
the course of two days. Time schedules and jobs had been previously assigned and everything
ran like clockwork. Everybody knew what their job was and when they needed to be where in
order to make this weekend of district competitions run as smoothly as possible. The things that
I saw in the process were various uses of people skills and on the spot decision making. You are
never going to please everyone and nine times out of ten you can guarantee that somebody is
going to disagree with how things are set up and decisions that are made. Therefore during the

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

course of the weekend I experienced various leadership, communication, decision making and
problem-solving skills being utilized in a variety of ways. Overall everyone involved had their
specific area of expertise and knowledge so that they could handle any situation that came up in
order to keep the integrity of the contest.
My horticulture minor gave me the opportunity to be a part of The TNLA Expo in
Dallas. Through this experience we worked together with other team members and nurseries to
build and set up from scratch a parks and patio display within the Expo. This was probably
one of the most amazing learning experiences I have had over the years. It made me see the
extraordinary about of work that goes into putting on one of these shows. It took us three days to
build it and have it ready and one day to tear it down and clean it up. So much hard work was
placed into this project but the final result was well worth the time and effort and something we
were all proud for others to see and experience. Throughout this project we needed to use
personal skills and knowledge of being direct, considerate, clearly define expectations, and have
a positive attitude and willingness to listen to different views and opinions. The overall
experience showed me a new area in horticulture that has sparked an interest and that is
landscaping. Being able to actually plan something and build it from nothing into a wonderful
final project was very rewarding.
I have to admit that I really did not know all the various areas an Extension Agent is
involved in on a day to day basis. I had only been on the 4-H side of it throughout my
experience growing up. When I arrived at the Extension office we hit the ground running from
day one. We went straight to the State Fair of Texas. I thought that we would be walking
around and looking at all there was to see but this was not the case at all. Our job of being at the
fair was to be a resource and to encourage those showing at the fair. We spent our time going
between the barns and being available if the child or parent needed anything to help them prepare
their animal. Also, once the show was over we were there as cheerleaders to keep the child
encouraged going on and continuing even if their project did not have the results there had hoped
for from the beginning. I attended Commissioner Court meetings where we presented a
proclamation for National 4-H Week. I planned projects and lead groups. The skills and
knowledge learned throughout my previous years in class all came together to help me through
each and every one of these experiences. I had to rely upon my people skills as I worked with
each group of people from young Pre-K students all the way up to Adults. One of the most
important skills in any job or area is listening. Everyone has something that is important to them
and by just taking the time to listen to them; you make them feel that they as well as their
opinion is worthy. You can sit in a classroom and listen to how to do anything but once you

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

get out in the real world you have to often times use common sense and personal experience to
get you through some things. Knowledge and skills build upon each other in so many ways. You
cannot just have skills in one area to succeed in life. You have to weave them together to make
yourself a better and stronger person so that in turn you can teach others to reach down inside
themselves and strive to be their best as well. We should never think we are done learning in our
life. There is always new information and knowledge that we can learn and experience to help
ourselves and others.
It is a hard thing to look at your own short comings. However, our willingness to
examine our own possible biases is an important step in understanding the roots of stereotypes
and prejudice in our society. I admit that I used to people watch and think that just by looking at
someone I had a pretty good idea of what type of person they were and how they were going to
react to what I had to say or expect them to do. Sometimes information we are given ahead of
time helps to form those opinions. If someone tells you, Oh you have the bad group you
immediately think that things are not going to go well. I was told that on several instances and I
had to tell myself to not listen. My mom is a teacher and has been for 30 years. She always says
that she does not want to look at the files of students or hear about them from their former
teachers. It goes back to that old saying you cant judge a book by its cover. Many times a
person may not get along with someone for one reason or another but that does not mean they are
a bad person. I have learned that you have to give respect to earn respect and I believe that goes
for all ages and races of people. I can guarantee that if you come into a situation with the
attitude of I am better then you there will be problems. I have overcome some opinions over
the years where I thought that someone who was un-kept was a lazy person. Students in
particular do not have a lot of control over where they live and how they live so I think that being
a teachers child has helped me to learn more about people and the hardships they endure. I have
been told that I am prejudice to a point. I believe I may have been when I was younger because
of my lack of exposure in the town where I grew up. You tend to believe that what you see with
a small group of people is true for all people in that category until you learn better. However, I
honestly believe that I have grown and matured over the last few years into an open minded
person who does not jump in with a bias and opinion but waits and learns more about people and
situations before judging.
There are so many things going on in our world today that cause fear and distrust. The
Extension Agent has an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the youth and give them
ways to better themselves and in turn our world. I believe that we can help to develop life skills
for youth and help in assisting them to become contributing members of society. The agriculture

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

segment of Extension has always assumed children are not, and do not have problems often
associated with other segments of society. Wrong! We must recognize "problem-free does not
necessarily mean fully prepared".
Youth animal science programs have many opportunities to develop leadership,
communication, decision making and problem-solving skills. Character building, record keeping
and the development of personal responsibility are other skills youths can develop as a result of
their involvement in the broad range of programs in Animal Science. But maybe, the most
important skill is goal setting. Communication skills are practiced in speech contests at the local
club level, with winners moving on to county and statewide competitions and in some cases,
even onto regional and national competition. Another way to practice oral communication skills
is by competing in the livestock (beef cattle, swine and sheep), horses, dairy cattle and meats
judging contests and being asked to give oral reasons to defend the placing or ranking of the
animals or animal products. Character building comes with being able to handle winning and
losing in the heat of competition. Accepting the bitter taste of defeat and being humble in victory
are skills crucial in todays society. Being gracious in winning and accepting the obligations and
responsibilities that go with winning are part of the honors that go to the victor. The winners
must remember they are put in the light of being a role model. The personal responsibility of
keeping accurate and honest records is part of the character-building process also. The discipline
needed to keep and record correct and accurate records is one of the necessary ingredients to
developing personal responsibility. The personal dedication needed for looking after and caring
for an animal goes a long way in building character and responsibility. The daily care of an
animal can help build character better than some other responsibility that can be given to our
youth.
Goal setting is probably not stressed enough in todays society. Not everyone can show
the Champion; not everyone can place first. Sometimes, the goal should be to compete for the
experience, so the next time around, the goal can be set higher with a more realistic chance of
attainment or accomplishment. Todays society is focused on too much of "wanting it all, now,"
and not enough on setting realistic goals that take time to achieve. It is important for youth,
whether they own and show animals or not, to understand the importance of goal-setting,
decision-making and oral communications, for these are the life skills needed to be a successful
functioning adult and member of society.

Jeffery Marburger
Dr. Atchley
11-12-2015

I look forward to continuing in this field and doing what I can to make a difference in the
world we live in for future generations. I owe a lot of who I am to this field and the people that
took the time to make me feel important and learn to be the best I could. They say it takes a
village to raise a child and this is true in todays society. We need to all work together to do
what we can to make our community, town, county, state and nation the best that it can be.
Making use of the knowledge and skills we acquire day to day can help to achieve this goal and I
look forward to being a part of the future in Extension.