Hello, I will be entering college next year and pursuing the Equine Industry Program.
How beneficial could a degree like this be? Are there employers who would recognize this degree as something attractive in a candidate for a management position?
Thoughts, advice, and opinions are all appreciated.
Equine Business Degrees. Helpful?
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equestriandynamo
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Laurierace
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equestriandynamo
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Thats mostly why I am asking this question Laurie. I'm working and networking in the side of business that I am interested in now, I understand that I don't need a degree and it's common to have people who labor for 10 or so years with a certain barn or business and rise to barn manager, or vice president or whathaveyou.
So I wanted to gain more perspective on hiring and selection processes for high-end facilities, particularly stud farms, to see if this degree would be worth the time, effort, and money.
So I wanted to gain more perspective on hiring and selection processes for high-end facilities, particularly stud farms, to see if this degree would be worth the time, effort, and money.
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Laurierace
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Like I said, a degree is a good thing. People with degrees in english for example can get a job in banking or advertising or any number of other fields that would seem totally unrelated. The simple fact that they had any kind of a degree got them in the door. I truly don't think it will help you in the horse field but it will help you in all other aspects of life and is something that no one can ever take away from you.
Re: Equine Business Degrees. Helpful?
equestriandynamo wrote:Hello, I will be entering college next year and pursuing the Equine Industry Program.
How beneficial could a degree like this be? Are there employers who would recognize this degree as something attractive in a candidate for a management position?
Thoughts, advice, and opinions are all appreciated.
I've told a number of people that if you want to work in the horse industry, a business degree with a minor in either psychology (for dealing with the owners) or in adult education (if you happen to want to train show horses & riders) would be good. But definitely, an emphasis on the business aspects and the ability to communicate or teach adults would be a plus. Hopefully you can work that into the Equine Industry Program.
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equestriandynamo
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equestriandynamo wrote:Noted, does anyone else care to weigh in? I need as many opinions as I can. How do people come into management positions at places like Churchill Downs, Lanes End, Three Chimneys, or Gainesway?
I agree with the others: a college degree is always a good thing. But beyond that the people I know that have done well have started by taking various different jobs in the horse industry and have worked their way up. To be perfectly honest I don't think that a degree in Equine Industry is going to be much help. Sad to say that a qualification that will help enormously if you're looking for a management position is if you're a man.
If you are going to invest in a college degree, do not make it specific to the equine industry unless you are sure that your connections will keep you employed. Go for a general business degree that can be applied to any industry. Race track owners may not think an equine oriented business degree is what they really need because managing a racetrack isn't about horses, it's about managing people and attracting customers.
As for the glass ceiling I think almost the entirety of that can be explained by the communication gulf between men and women. Women look at how little men say (they might talk alot but actually say little) when the women are around, so they believe the men are not including them. What the women don't want to believe is that the moment they leave the quality of the conversation degenerates drastically, even amongst well educated men. Men bond through non-verbal means and women bond through verbalizations. Consequently, women feel excluded because the men aren't verbalizing and the men are frustrated because the women don't respond properly to the non-verbal cues that men use when they try to include them. JMHO
As for the glass ceiling I think almost the entirety of that can be explained by the communication gulf between men and women. Women look at how little men say (they might talk alot but actually say little) when the women are around, so they believe the men are not including them. What the women don't want to believe is that the moment they leave the quality of the conversation degenerates drastically, even amongst well educated men. Men bond through non-verbal means and women bond through verbalizations. Consequently, women feel excluded because the men aren't verbalizing and the men are frustrated because the women don't respond properly to the non-verbal cues that men use when they try to include them. JMHO
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vallygirl927
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I am currently pursuing something similar to you but I am getting my degree in business w/ emphasis in finance and I may pursue a minor in communications. I agree with the majority, I don't think you should do anything specific but I do think any degree would be a plus and help you get your foot in the door. For instance, I was interested in working for TVG interviewing trainers and giving my handicapping perspective, like Christina Alaveras does. I talked with her once at Del Mar and she said she got her degree in Communications (of course, she also grew up around racehorses, so it helped to have those connections) but generally, I think in positions of that nature with a more corporate environment, a degree would be necessary just to get the job. But, yes, stay general, either business or communications. You can always get a certificate or minor in the equine industry later.
I would advise going to the best possible college/university that you can academically succeed in and afford.
My second recommendation is, as others have said, to major in business/economics/marketing and minor in a related field. As someone who minored in Communications, I do like that suggestion!
My third recommendation is that if you can combine all of that with a school that has a well known equestrian program (i.e. riding team, equine science minor, etc) you are well prepared.
Today, in my professional life, when I view a recent college graduate's resume, I do consider the reputation of the school, the department within the school and the individual's academic achievement---gpa, honors, involvement on the campus during college, internships, volunteer activities, etc.
My second recommendation is, as others have said, to major in business/economics/marketing and minor in a related field. As someone who minored in Communications, I do like that suggestion!
My third recommendation is that if you can combine all of that with a school that has a well known equestrian program (i.e. riding team, equine science minor, etc) you are well prepared.
Today, in my professional life, when I view a recent college graduate's resume, I do consider the reputation of the school, the department within the school and the individual's academic achievement---gpa, honors, involvement on the campus during college, internships, volunteer activities, etc.
I went to college for An Hus Horses. At the time the school was only a 2yr school. Now it's a 4 yr school with Ag business in the curriculum. I say go for it, it will help you in the long run. Especially on the farms. I never graduated, I needed my Beef cattle management and drama grades up. I ended up working for people that had English degrees or Art appreciation degrees.
Go for it.
winds
Go for it.
winds