Well, the snow is melting and the calves are kicking! - All sure signs of spring around these parts. For a college student however, spring can cause a certain amount of stress… With the last few midterms to be written, and exams around the corner, it’s hard to even think about summer! – And when you do think about those sunny days, suddenly you remember that you don’t have a summer job lined up yet! That adds a whole new dimension to the stress level, I’ll tell yeah and that’s exactly how I felt just over a week ago.
The Monday before last, a few people from a rather large Ranch just north of Cardston, Alberta came to put on a presentation to the agriculture students at the college. They spoke about the history of their ranch, how their calving season works and about how their operation is generally run. Rumor had it that they also might just be recruiting for summer positions on the ranch as well! I was more than game so I packed along a resume. Half way through the presentation though, my heart sank. Darren, the gentleman who was speaking, announced that they had filled all their summer positions the week before. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed but a few minutes later he also mentioned that they would still like to meet those of us who were interested and if they met the right person, they might be able to create a position. Being the stubborn and uneasily discouraged person that I am, I still thought it was worth a shot. After being interviewed that afternoon, I went home hopeful.
The Monday before last, a few people from a rather large Ranch just north of Cardston, Alberta came to put on a presentation to the agriculture students at the college. They spoke about the history of their ranch, how their calving season works and about how their operation is generally run. Rumor had it that they also might just be recruiting for summer positions on the ranch as well! I was more than game so I packed along a resume. Half way through the presentation though, my heart sank. Darren, the gentleman who was speaking, announced that they had filled all their summer positions the week before. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed but a few minutes later he also mentioned that they would still like to meet those of us who were interested and if they met the right person, they might be able to create a position. Being the stubborn and uneasily discouraged person that I am, I still thought it was worth a shot. After being interviewed that afternoon, I went home hopeful.
It had been a week and I was starting to think I was out of luck when my phone rang last Monday. I guess I can take a sigh of relief because the summer job is officially off my to-do list! It has also brought me one step closer to crossing something off my bucket list too! This summer I will be living on a branch of that ranch's place, where they calve their heifers out in the spring. I promise to post pictures! My duties will include branding (they have so many cows that it takes a month to get it all done), fencing (they have enough fence to go from Lethbridge to Edmonton) assisting with artificial insemination, calving heifers and general ranch up keep. |
One of the most exciting parts about this job for me is who I get to take with me! Just this winter I bought a 2 year old Quarter Horse filly who I have intentions of starting this summer. Her name is Newt and she’s a major sweetheart. The other friend I get to pack along is my year old red and white border collie who goes by the name Nelly. That little girl is the coolest little thing I have ever had the honor of calling mine. The fact that her and Newt both get to come along is a huge relief. Nelly is almost broke to work stock and Newt is going to be a pretty cool horse one day but I had imagined that I might have to leave them at home. A question worth thinking is a question worth asking and I asked! Things definitely turned out for the best! Anyone who knows me anyway will tell you that I am a mess without my ponies and my puppies!
I can’t wait to get down there but until then, I guess I should probably get back to studying…. But while I'm doing so, I'll be listening to the wonderfully talented Matt Robertson! If you like that real cowboy sound, check him out!
http://www.mattrobertson.ca
I can’t wait to get down there but until then, I guess I should probably get back to studying…. But while I'm doing so, I'll be listening to the wonderfully talented Matt Robertson! If you like that real cowboy sound, check him out!
http://www.mattrobertson.ca