To celebrate National 4-H Week (Oct. 5-11), we spoke with three 4-H alumni who have put the skills they learned in clubs into action in college and their careers. They used their sparks — the interests they’re passionate about — to succeed in their own ways.
Megan Faivre, who joined 4-H in 5th grade after being inspired by projects at the county fair, is seeing the benefits of club membership as a college student. Because of her participation in 4-H projects and experiences, Faivre said she’s ready for her next big project. “Throughout my time in 4-H I have gained many life skills,” said Faivre. “All of these things helped prepare me for college.”
For the last two summers, Megan served as a Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps member. Working with county educators, Faivre helped establish new relationships within the community and develop educational programming for local youth. The experience has helped her change her major from civil engineering. “I realized that I wanted to be involved with youth, but not a full-time career like a teacher,” said Faivre. Currently, she is studying psychology and plans to work with youth and families as a counselor.
John Zumbrunnen, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UW–Madison, started his 4-H career as a member of the Clinton Cool Cats in Missouri. Years later, when he found himself leading New Student Convocation for thousands of Badgers at the Kohl Center, he felt totally comfortable speaking publicly because of his 4-H experience. In his current role, a complex leadership position with ample responsibility, the leadership development offered in 4-H has also proven to be important for his career.
“Because there are so many leadership opportunities in 4-H, you get used to the idea you might in fact be able to be a leader,” said Zumbrunnen. “You might work with an adult volunteer project leader and then help lead a group of younger 4-H’ers through a project that you’ve already gone through yourself.”
Molly Maciejewski, who started learning by doing in Sheboygan County 4-H, is putting those skills and experiences to work as director of operations and executive chef at Madison Sourdough, a well-known capitol city bakery. Maciejewski’s experience with 4-H projects like cooking, sewing, woodworking, and photography helped her build skills
“It made me more interested in making things by hand, and gave me some confidence that I could create, build, craft, and be more self-sufficient,” she said. Service is something Maciejewski learned to prioritize after taking part in projects that helped her community and built unity in her club. “4-H reinforces the idea that self-improvement (and some healthy competition) are good, but need to be balanced with the values of helping others as well.”
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