Personal Statement

I was born and raised in the once small town of Homestead, Florida.  Growing up in south Florida definitely had its perks and ‘life lessons,’ if you will.  From any distance radius, you could throw a rock and it would hit the ocean filled with its uniquely beautiful reefs that were begging for exploration; however, if your rock hit the kid next to you, you were going to be thrown into something that resembled a not so glorious ocean.  I was the luckiest kid in the world—fishing in the morning, horseback riding in the afternoon. 

First and foremost, I love life.  The simple things in life that make everyday worth waking up are what I live for.  One word that suitably describes me is ‘determined’—in life, in love, in all aspects of my life, I am determined.  I am a first generation college student and I’ve always pushed myself to exceed the standards.  I often bend, but never break.  My family, friends, love and beliefs are my support system and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.  Life is a ride I am truly enjoying and I couldn’t ask for more.

Since middle school, I have always had an avid display of interest in the area of agriculture and its policies.  Upon entering my advanced placement economics class in high school, I had no idea what to expect—economics is just the government influencing the economy—and what is the economy anyways—right?  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Through discovering a love and interest for the field, I wanted to know more.  The relationships, the marketing acquisitions, the policies, the tiny miniscule decisions that make a world of difference on the world could hold my interest forever. 

When I was very young, I remember my parents telling houseguests that I would soon either be Miss America (yeah, right) or a business executive with my innate marketing skills.  Around the holidays at the Earl residence, you could often find signs all over the house that read: “Huge Easter Sale!,” “Get your Christmas shopping done at Thanksgiving!,” amongst other ridiculous slogans that would have been appealing to any six or seven year old, of course.  I would make junk—honestly, it was junk—and I would sell it to polite family members and friends that would pay cash for my junk or a raffle ticket.  My mom wasn’t very happy about her items that would end up on my shelves with a price tag; but hey, I was on a roll here.  I circled the Fischer Price Marketplace Cash Register with a bright red pen a million times in the JC Penny wishbook catalog.  I had my typewriter programmed to automatically print out fill-in receipts; my computer, equipped with DOS, had files of everyone’s “accounts” saved on it.  In my eyes, even at a young age, marketing possibilities were endless.  I could sell ice to Iceland or sand to a beach.

Many years later, after the age of the typewriter and DOS, I discovered the world of HTML and its boundless advertising capabilities.  Not only could I sell things (or “junk”) to my family, now I could sell stuff to the world.  After designing and creating my very first website, Ashley’s Personalized Office Supplies went global.  Although I didn’t become a millionaire, I had a site that made me look like one.  I discovered the world of Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop to pursue marketing strategies and have worked on websites ever since.  I built a website and designed graphics for a nonprofit horseshow organization in south Florida for all of my high school community service hours.  I recently designed and continue to maintain the University of Florida Equestrian Team website.

“Marketing strategies” and computer skills are just half of my life; horseback riding is what I live for.  I’ve been riding horses since I was old enough to be able to ask for one; I’ve developed a love like none other along the way.  Although horses are my passion and veterinary medicine seemed to be the suitable career route, I want more.  I want to make a difference on a daily basis; I want to build upon teamwork that will influence policy and pull the company out of a hole; I want more.  The world of agriculture economics has a proactive, ever changing, hands-on platform that I wish to stand upon throughout my college and life career.  I believe I have what it takes with my acquired and innate skills to be more than successful throughout your Master of Science in Food and Resource Economics graduate program; all it takes is passion and the initial “I want to make a difference.”

Resume

Objective: Upon my current enrollment at the University of Florida, I plan to complete a thesis Master of Science program in Food and Resource Economics.  My interests include marketing, management, finance, sales, and international business in the food and agricultural field.

Education: 

College:  University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

• Major: Animal Science – Biology, Minor: Agriculture Communications
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude - May 2008, 3.60 GPA
• Relevant Coursework: Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Introduction to Economics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Data Analysis in Food & Resource Economics, Campaign Strategies, Organic Chemistry I & II

College:  Miami Dade Honors College, Miami, Florida

• Major: Biology, Graduated with an Associate in Arts May 2005
• 68 Credits Completed, 3.27 GPA

                                     
Work Experience:              

Sept 2007 - present	Publix Supermarkets Dale West 352.331.1086	Gainesville, Florida
Customer Service Representative Ensure proper customer service at all times and make sure the customer is pleased with their visit Responsible for large amounts of money and handling money on a regular basis Through working at Publix, I have learned very much about the grocery industry.  Nothing goes to waste and everything is accounted for.  This ensures Publix as a strong market and a strong company. .
Jan 2007 - May 2007	Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital Dr. Tara Trimble 352.843.0806	Ocala, Florida
Ambulatory Veterinary Technician Worked approximately 70-80 hours per week with hands on Equine Veterinary experience Participated in wet labs conducted at the Equine Reproduction Center, Peterson & Smith I obtained the required business skills and learned how to deal with clients on a first hand basis .
April 2006 - Aug 2006	Houston's Restaurant Matt Kuscher 786.529.0141	Coral Gables, Florida
Server Worked in a fast pace, first class dining atmosphere Promoted to Tier 2 Server after a month of working there Teamwork, aptitude, promptness and readiness was emphasized in every aspect

Awards & Honors:                

• Most Valuable Rider for the University of Florida Equestrian Team, Western Team (2008)
• University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean's List (Fall 2007, Spring 2007, Spring 2006)
• Recipient of the Woody & Clare Asbury Animal Biology Scholarship (2007)
• University of Florida College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Dean’s List (Fall 2006)
• First graduating class of Kendall Campus, Miami Dade Honors College; graduated with Honors in 2005
• Accepted and granted Scholarship to participate in the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria with the Miami Dade Honors College – March, 2005
• South Dade Senior High Silver Knight Nominee for Vocational-Technical

Extracurricular Activities: 

• Teaching Assistant for Techniques in Equine Science (Spring 2008)
• Member of the University of Florida Block and Bridle Club (2005-present)

  - Activities Director (Spring 2006)
  - Ag Council Rep (Fall 2006)

• Member of the University of Florida Equestrian Team (2005-present)

  - Western Team Captain (2006-2007)

• Member of the University of Florida Pre-Vet Club (2005-present)
• Member of Phi Theta Kappa (2004-2005)
• Conducted Service Learning project at SDHS – assisted with FFA & Agriculture department, teacher assistant for Agritechnology classes (2004 Fall)
• Designed & Maintained CHM1045 Honors class web site (2004 Spring)

Community Service:

• Educated elementary school students at the Black Stallion Literacy Program (2008, 2007, 2006)
• Assisted with a gift giving program held at a school for underprivileged children (December 2002), 4 Hours
• Assisting At Risk Program Children with horseback riding and care during a camp seminar (July 1-3, 2002), 12 hours
• Designing, Maintaining and Updating the WHAF Web Site (1999 - 2005), 177 hours
• Designing, Maintaining and Updating the South Dade FFA Web Site (2001 - 2002), 36 hours
• Volunteered at the Annual Agriculture Safety Seminar, sponsored by the University of Florida, hosted at South Dade Senior High (2001), 5 hours
• Participated in the 2001 Miami River Clean-Up, 12 hours
• Assisting at Good Hope Equestrian Center, working with the horses & the handicapped children (2000), 36 hours
• Volunteered at Kiwanis Horses for Handicapped (1999), 12 hours

Personal Interests:

• Riding, Showing & Training Horses
• Web Site Design & Construction
• Image & Graphic Design on Computers
• Extra Curricular Activities at School
• Fishing & Hunting
• Cooking
• Travel Enthusiast