For Savannah Robin and Ilka Balk, what began as a "happy accident" turned into a major opportunity for students and employers alike. Robin, a lecturer in career and professional development for the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs, received an email from Balk, associate director of the university’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, noting that both had scheduled career fairs at the Gatton Student Center on the same date and time.

Instead of seeing it as a conflict, they recognized it as an opportunity to showcase two of Kentucky’s signature industries—equine and spirits—in a single, unified career fair. The Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair will bring together members from the equine and spirits industries to educate students on post-graduation career options on September 26, 2024.

The collaboration also supported ongoing cross-disciplinary efforts between the Equine Programs and the Beam Institute, as students from the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Communication and Information were already engaging with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

“We’re starting to see the trend that people will understand that farms don’t just need farm managers; they need accountants, they need photographers,” Robin said. “We cross lots of different spaces, but we have places for all of the UK students and really career interested folks in any of these areas.” She added that they hope to build on the momentum from last year’s fair to continue serving a broad range of Kentuckians – from students to alumni, employers and stakeholders – while highlighting how agricultural industries can benefit from diverse expertise.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Robin and Balk discuss the university’s symbiotic relationship with Kentucky’s signature industries, the crucial role of alumni in connecting employers with UK, and the potential for students to discover career opportunities in fields they may never have previously considered.

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