Changing Careers

Sigma Alpha’s objective states it was created to “further the development of excellence in women pursuing careers in agriculture.” However, sometimes sisters transition out of those careers and into new sectors of the job market. Though working in new industries, the skills they gained as Sigma Alpha sisters continue to benefit them in their careers. Two sisters, both who worked in the agriculture Industry and then transitioned to other sectors, discussed how being in Sigma Alpha prepared them for their careers in agriculture and beyond.

Lorrell (Kenney) Walter, an alumna from the Lambda chapter at University of California Davis, began her career as the Director of Public Relations for the New York Beef Council. After working with the New York Beef Council, Walter worked with an advertising agency on agriculture accounts and as the Director of Public Relations for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. In total, she spent thirteen years in agriculture. Walter never intended to leave the industry, but it did become necessary when she had the opportunity to move west.

She first worked with an electric cooperative, and though she wasn’t directly working in agriculture, many of the customers she served were in the agriculture community, which she enjoyed. Walter then transitioned into working with Western Vista Federal Credit Union, where she still works and now serves as the Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Member Experience. She celebrated her five year anniversary with the credit union in December 2021.

Walter credits being the president of her chapter while they were going through the chapter-in-development (CID) process with being the person she is today. “The CID process was my introduction to project management, and I learned very quickly my strengths and weaknesses in managing an effort of this magnitude.” Many of the situations she experienced during her time with Sigma Alpha, such as event planning and crisis management, directly relate to what she sees in her day-to-day life as a marketing professional and executive. Sigma Alpha gave her experience and helped her develop the leadership skills she continues to utilize today as a marketing professional and executive.

Katie (Hines) Brown, an alumna of the Beta Eta chapter at Auburn University, only worked in agriculture for eleven months. During that time, she worked with a John Deere dealership group. Like Walter, a move caused Brown to change career paths, landing in a banking job. She left banking after three years, hoping to find a position that utilized her Agriculture Business and Economics degree.

Brown moved into pharmaceutical sales, which allowed her to utilize the business portion of her degree, but after a job lay-off, she was forced to decide if she wanted to remain in pharmaceutical sales or break into a new career. With the help of fellow sister

Nikki (Little) Snider, Brown has worked at Edward Jones for the last two years.

Brown credits her experience in Sigma Alpha, both as a three-time chapter officer and National Leadership Seminar Facilitator with helping her gain invaluable skills in handling failures as well as networking with others. “Sigma Alpha, and the agriculture industry, both provided me with the courage to position myself as a leader in industries in which men generally fill leadership roles.” She explains Sigma Alpha was the ideal environment to develop the skills necessary to both respect those who employ us and gain their respect to continue company growth.

Both Walter and Brown gained valuable life and professional skills as Sigma Alpha sisters that continue to benefit them in their careers outside of agriculture. Moves caused both women to change career paths, but their time as members better prepared them for the careers they have today.