As a sixth-generation cattle rancher, Agriculture has played a key role in not only my love for the land but also the science behind it. Spending my weekends and summers gaining insight into vaccination programs, beneficial ecological practices, and meat science has heavily influenced my choice of Animal science as a major. Within the major, I plan to seek the industry and production route which will provide me with additional career paths ranging from genetics to feed science. The wide array of topics covered under this major encompass every aspect of the beef industry. Within this curriculum, each required course will equip me with a diverse set of skills that I will one day be able to utilize as a career. Classes such as animal nutrition, animal breeding, and reproduction management each have implications across a wide variety of jobs in animal agriculture. These topics will be immensely beneficial in the field of cow-calf operations, allowing me to create a genetically sound and resilient herd. Furthermore, the immense internship opportunities offered in Animal Science serve as real-world experience, teaching how to apply classroom education to business situations. From interning at Trans-ova for genetics to ranch management skills with Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, there are an abundance of opportunities to sharpen my skills before graduation. By combining these skills with further education in the field of agriculture, I believe I can excel not only in my family operation but within the industry as a whole. Before my future career at Texas A&M, I want to make a promise. Whatever I may do in the coming future has to be connected to agriculture. Through an extensive and trustworthy network, I want to work in a space where core values of leadership, courage, and accountability are displayed. By attending A&M I believe I will gain many connections that will support me in this industry, as I would like to come back home and grow our cattle company. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain a cow-calf operation. With rising inflation and high input costs, cattle producers across Texas have struggled. But once again, this industry has displayed the one virtue that many others lack, resilience. Ranchers across the nation have held firm, fighting through tough droughts, political climates, and volatile markets. By attending A&M, I would have the opportunity to learn ways to mitigate risks and possibly diversify the operation in order to sustain it for years to come. But fulfilling these goals requires something more, finding your pleasure in serving others. Throughout my agriculture community, there are mentors who serve in organizations that fight for the producer on the county, state, and national levels. These producers work to create and support important legislation that impacts everything from private property rights to the conservation of our natural resources. It is servant leadership that truly fulfills lifelong goals and grants purpose to the work that we do.