Developing Future Animal Science Industry Leaders through the Development of Personal Qualities, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills and Animal Sc
Developing Future Animal Science Industry Leaders through the Development of Personal Qualities, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills and Animal Science Technical Components
Hilary K. Maricle, Susan M, Fritz and Linda D. Moody
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
PO Box 830709
Lincoln, NE 68583-0709
Developing leaders in the animal science industry encompasses many areas (e.g. animal science technical skills, personal qualities, communication skills, and leadership skills). This study identified key competencies in four areas needed in the next five years by animal science graduates. Researchers used a modified Delphi technique to ascertain: 1) importance and priority; 2) proficiency level; and 3) agreement of respondents with the proficiency level. Forty-four of the 24 faculty and 20 industry experts rated the importance and priority of 193 competencies. Seventy-one competencies were identified as highly important and of critical priority. In the next round, experts rated the proficiency levels of the competencies, and finally, reported their agreement with the group ratings. Comparisons were made between post-secondary and industry responses in each of the rounds, as well as comparisons of responses by participant age and educational level. In total, personal qualities, communication skills and leadership skills were determined by the experts to be of higher importance and priority than animal science technical skills. Results of the study will be used as the basis of future animal science curriculum changes.
Hilary K. Maricle, Susan M, Fritz and Linda D. Moody
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
PO Box 830709
Lincoln, NE 68583-0709
Developing leaders in the animal science industry encompasses many areas (e.g. animal science technical skills, personal qualities, communication skills, and leadership skills). This study identified key competencies in four areas needed in the next five years by animal science graduates. Researchers used a modified Delphi technique to ascertain: 1) importance and priority; 2) proficiency level; and 3) agreement of respondents with the proficiency level. Forty-four of the 24 faculty and 20 industry experts rated the importance and priority of 193 competencies. Seventy-one competencies were identified as highly important and of critical priority. In the next round, experts rated the proficiency levels of the competencies, and finally, reported their agreement with the group ratings. Comparisons were made between post-secondary and industry responses in each of the rounds, as well as comparisons of responses by participant age and educational level. In total, personal qualities, communication skills and leadership skills were determined by the experts to be of higher importance and priority than animal science technical skills. Results of the study will be used as the basis of future animal science curriculum changes.