CEANCI CTE Graduate Profile Book

CAREER PATH

Keelyn Triggs

Growing up with a farming background I knew I wanted to go into agriculture. I took every possible agriculture class offered throughout high school in addition to being involved in 4-H and FFA. I was able to use these experiences to have scholarships to go to Iowa State University where I double majored in Agricultural Business and Agriculture & Society. It was there that I had three different summer internships and worked at a local agriculture company during the school year. Following graduation I got my crop insurance license and now work for Farmers Business Network and get to talk to farmers every single day. I also raise cattle and show pigs alongside my husband.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS NEEDED FOR THIS CAREER

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED

Byron High School Byron, Illinois – Ogle County

Skills needed to go into crop insurance include: a high work ethic, people skills, listening skills and being confident.

CTE DEPARTMENT/CLASSES ENROLLED IN DURING HIGH SCHOOL

Animal Science, Plant Science and Horticulture

ADVICE TO HIGH SCHOOL CTE STUDENTS

CURRENT JOB TITLE

Crop Insurance Specialist, Farmer

Take your CTE classes seriously - you will enjoy them so much and will learn so much real world knowledge that you can apply to your future career. Be willing to take some of the classes that you have just a little bit of interest in. you never know what you end up enjoying.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

Farmers Business Network

CAREER PATHWAY

HOW HAS CTE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE/CAREER?

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Being able to take CTE classes allowed me to narrow down what areas of agriculture I did and did not want to go into. Before I ever stepped onto a college campus I had my major narrowed down to a couple options because I knew what I enjoyed and was passionate about.