University of Wisconsin - Extension

Young adults with experience in 4-H are convinced their involvement in this youth organization made them better prepared for careers and for life.

Many of them report that working on 4-H projects, taking on leadership roles in their clubs and trying new things has made them more self confident, better organized, more able to follow through on commitments and more successful.

They believe they learned more than just job skills. They say they also learned attitudes and behaviors ¿ responsibility, timeliness, respect for others, optimism and other positive attributes ¿ that will make them more successful in the world of work.

¿By being involved in the 4-H program for nine years, I learned to be responsible¿It has helped me to meet deadlines and follow-through on commitments,¿ one Iowa County, Wisconsin, 4-H alumnus reported.

A 1991 survey of Wisconsin 4-H members who participated in community service projects in Wisconsin found between 80 and 85 percent of those surveyed said their 4-H experiences improved their skills in planning and organizing and in setting goals and making decisions ¿ all assets in the world of work.

Interviews with young adults who participated in 4-H confirm that 4-H influences career choices and success at work.

¿4-H exposed me to a lot of career choices, but I always thought our 4-H agent had the best job in the world. I was a 4-H intern, and now I¿m applying for a county agent position in Colorado,¿ said Jessica Jens, a Wisconsin 4-H alumna.

Her husband, James Jens is also a 4-H alumnus. ¿I¿m 24, but people often think I¿m older because I¿ve had a lot of experience in situations where you have to present yourself professionally,¿ he said. Jens developed an interest in haute cuisine when he enrolled in 4-H foods projects. Today he is a professional chef.

Sandy Leuder also found her vocation because of her 4-H experiences. ¿I was in 4-H for 10 years and then became a leader and a 4-H intern. I wanted a career where I could continue to influence the lives of young people. So I chose teaching, and 4-H experience made me more confident about interviewing for jobs.¿

UW-Eau Claire student David Hofer found the courage to chase his dream of owning his own roller coaster while learning about aerospace, nature space and woodworking as a 4-H member. ¿I learned that being confident allows one to take more risks. You don¿t just give up if you don¿t get the blue ribbon.¿ Hofer is majoring in entrepreneurship and writing a business plan to raise the capital to get his roller coaster dream off the ground.

Several national studies show the impact of 4-H participation on preparing youth for careers. A Purdue University study reported that participating on a 4-H livestock judging team developed workforce preparedness skills. ¿Employers are looking for individuals who can think on their feet, make rational decisions and have the verbal communications skills to successfully defend the decision they have made,¿ according to the research report written by Prof. Clint P. Rusk. In Montana, half of all youth who had been members of 4-H agreed that ¿my participation in 4-H has been critical to my success in life.¿

4-H was founded almost 100 years ago as a way to teach young people about the science of agriculture and home economics. Today it is one of the largest, most successful youth organizations with clubs and school-based programs creating opportunities for both rural and urban youth.