Hello! My name is Sadie Frey, and I’m a 2022 graduate of South Dakota State University where I earned degrees in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science. I currently serve as a marketing communications specialist for Agtegra Cooperative in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In this role, I support the development and execution of communication and marketing strategies for both employees and member-owners through web content, news releases, magazines, newsletters, social media, and event coordination.

Although I grew up in the heart of Agtegra’s trade territory, my professional journey with the cooperative truly began at the SDSU CAFES Career Fair where I first connected with members of their human resources team about internship opportunities. What started as a summer internship after my freshman year eventually led to a full-time position upon graduation. The CAFES Career Fair brings together so many great agricultural companies, and I strongly encourage students to take advantage of the opportunity to visit with as many employers as possible. Even if a company doesn’t have an immediate opening, sharing your resume and expressing interest can lead to unexpected opportunities down the road. It’s also a great way to explore the wide range of career paths available, even if you’re not actively searching for a full-time role yet. As students, it’s easy to get “stuck” thinking only about traditional roles, but you never know what you might learn or how it could shape your future career goals.

I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and leadership opportunities SDSU provided me, both inside and outside the classroom. My involvement in organizations like Little International and Sigma Alpha helped me develop skills that prepared me for my career today. My advice to current students is to get involved in organizations you’re passionate about; those experiences are where lifelong friendships are formed and where you’ll grow your interests in ways that will truly transform the rest of your life – both personally and professionally.