In Bounds by Jack MacKenzie, CGCS
Recently, I had the pleasure of engaging high school students in discussions about careers in the turf industry, more specifically, golf course turf management. The first, a career fair where the industry net was cast upon a large audience of Forest Lake High School students, between the ages of 16 and 18, and their parents. And the second, while on an MGCSA organized field trip for Career Launch participants to the UMN’s TROE Center, followed by a private tour of the TPC Twin Cities turf management center. Both opportunities provided me access to some very engaged students.
sentation I shared included brief stories about the job of golf course superintendent, the challenges of the position, how one can pursue the career and the benefits of growing fine turf for a living.
Although not as popular as Famous Dave’s, they were giving out food, my booth was active with interested young men and women stopping by to hear my pitch. It was rewarding to see their mind “gears” working as they considered the options of limited college, immediate As a representative of your placement, and the potential for a industry, I went to the College and long and rewarding career. The parCareer Fair armed with University ents of the youth were also interof Minnesota education options ested to know their kids could begin and materials about the University work on a golf course, develop a of Wisconsin short programs. Upon low cost fast-track into managemy laptop I ran the GCSAA video, ment and begin a real career just “Welcome to My Office”. The pre- a few years after graduating high
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