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Macey
Welcome back to Redlands Rundown, your official podcast of Redlands Community College,
where we're committed to helping you find success in the classroom, with your careers,
and everything in between. I'm excited about today's episode. I have Miss Peyton Rogers
joining us today, and Peyton and I actually have very similar backgrounds. We grew
up showing cattle in the ag industry. We were both out of state students that came
to Redlands and actually have the same transfer school, too. So, we'll talk a little
bit about the transfer process and what that looks like. As we're nearing graduation,
we have a lot of students going through it, but we have a lot of freshmen transitioning
into their sophomore year. So I thought this would be something fun to talk about.
So first, Peyton, I'll let you just tell our listeners a little bit more about yourself
and your background.
Peyton
Of course. So like she said, I'm currently a sophomore here at Redlands. And I came
in and was really involved in the ag program here. My background started at a really
young age. I was very involved with my family's operation, where we raise and market
cattle to other kids across the country to be shown so, kind of similar to yours.
And then, I was really involved showing livestock, too. So that's kind of where my
passion stemmed from, from a young age. And then, I got into the livestock judging
program in 4H and FFA and really kind of found a passion for that and thought that
was maybe something that I could continue doing and just tie in to different roles,
kind of as you transition and get [inaudible] a little bit. And so always been really,
really involved. And then, I came here to Redlands and I'm working on my major in
ag communications right now and then became really involved in the school as a member
of a livestock judging team with you guys and just wrapped that up. And so yeah, that's
just a little, little portion of, of a lot of different things.
Macey
Yeah. Tell us a little bit about how you chose Redlands as an out-of-state student.
You probably looked at a lot of different places so, why did you pick Redlands?
Peyton
For sure. I thought the biggest thing when I started looking at school was, you know,
growing up, my parents always told me, you are who you surround yourself with. And
so starting off, I wanted to be surrounded by great people. And it's no, no question
that Redlands is full of really talented people that are very passionate about what
they do from the people you work with, it with any class you're in, to administration,
and beyond. And so, that was really important to me, and so to find someone for me
specifically, who was interested in the ag. program, and our program was filled with
really, really talented people and a lot of them, and so to find that at JuCo, I thought
was really unique, and then when you tack on the kind of people that are doing it,
you know, their morals and the way you look up to them from a personal standpoint,
I thought that was really cool. And then also, you look at the kids who graduated
from this program and so being in the ag industry, you see a lot of the kids that
have come out of different programs, and so I think it's really unique to see some
of the kids who have graduated from Redlands and see how they're making an influence
back into the industry today. So that was some things that really drew me to Redlands
specifically, and so just seeing those things. And then, obviously, the location I
thought was great to for a livestock judging team, you know, we've been able to travel
anywhere really quick, quickly and look at great livestock. And so there's been a
lot of experiences that I've heard about and seen that drew me to Redlands.
Macey
Awesome. Yeah, we talk about that a lot on the other episodes too and a common theme,
it seems like, when people really like Redlands is the people that are here. So it's,
it's cool to hear you say that. So as you got to Redlands and you touched on this
a little bit, what helped you to feel, get involved and feel like you belonged here?
Because you moved a little ways from home, so how did you get really plugged into
this school?
Peyton
Yeah, for sure. So like I kind of touched on I was a member of the livestock judging
team here. And so everyone always says, you know, when you go to college, make sure
you're involved. They say in high school, in college, all the things. And I think
that's truly important. Not only can you make a lot of different connections and meet
people, but I think just personal growth too, challenges you, and kind of pushes you
to try new things. And so for me, like I said, I know there's different clubs and
things you can do depending on kind of your interests. But for me, in the ag, ag program
here, I was a member of the Aggie Club my first year and became an ag ambassador and
served as an officer on there. And so there's a lot of different ways you can get
plugged in, and then there's a lot of events that go on throughout the year, too.
And so, you know, being at a junior college, maybe you don't have the big football
games or things like that to get to all the time, but it gives you an opportunity
to maybe give up some more of your time to do those other things, that the other day
we just got done with the speaking contest here at school, and so getting to help
with things like those, and one of my classes is an ag leadership class, and so we
are like work in the food pantry and stuff like that. So there's other ways you can
get clubbed in and really grow your leadership skills. And so I encourage anyone that
comes to Redlands or even looking at other places to try and find ways to get involved,
meet a lot of people, and you really grow.
Macey
So yeah, awesome. I think that's great to hear. So obviously at some point over the
last two years, you started thinking about where you were going to go to senior college
and exploring those options. So, tell our listeners a little bit more about what schools
you looked at, and what mattered most to you when you were making that decision? Where
you were going to transfer to after Redlands?
Peyton
For sure. So, the biggest thing for me, and I kind of did this when I was looking
at junior colleges too, was even if you're a little hesitant on, you know, maybe the
location or something like that about a school, I would encourage you to go and still
tour and see what it is and meet the people and kind of feel things out, because I
think each school offers something a little different, unique, different, unique about
them. And so just, just seeing what those things are and how they fit to what your
goals are. So, I kind of use the same approach when I was looking at a JuCo, [cough]
sorry. I, you know, starting with the kind of people that were there. And so building
from that. And so I actually toured three senior colleges, I toured Oklahoma State,
Texas Tech, and Texas A&M. And so, I'd actually never been to some of those towns,
of course, it's kind of unique to see those things and see the things that they offered.
Academics is really important to me, and finding a program that I think challenged
me and fit with my degree path and what kind of my career goals were, and offered
some different things that I thought fit after college. And then, also, I decided
I wanted to livestock judge again. And so, finding a program that I thought would
work for me as well then. And so, each of them had a really unique things, and it
was a really challenging decision when you start touring and thinking about those
things. And then, for me, Oklahoma State had kind of always been somewhere that I
had wanted to go. A lot of the people I grew up with and that were mentors to me went
to school there. And so, when I was growing up, just kind of always a place that I
thought I would end up. And so that and then the more I got to thinking about it,
I decided I wanted to be a little bit closer to home. And I loved Oklahoma. And so,
just having the ability to be on a drive instead of having to fly and things like
that. So, I think those are all things important to think about, also, not just schooling
and all those things. I'm really excited to be a part of their educational program
and livestock judging team, obviously, those have been extremely successful and the
people are great there, but also think about location and things like that. We were
making decisions [inaudible].
Macey
Yeah, for sure. I think you make a good point whenever you say, actually go visit
the places that you're thinking about, because you can look at their website and you
can look at things online, but it's really important to get a good feel for what you're
considering. And then, you know, just go with whatever you know, how your gut feeling
tells you. So yeah, I think that's a good point to make sure you go visit. And same
thing on the JuCo-level versus senior college-level, anywhere that you're considering,
go look. And another thing that I always tell students is if you're considering several
options, apply for everything. You know. You know, you probably applied for application
at several universities and applied for scholarship opportunities at several universities.
And so that's another thing that I think is important to keep your options open. You
know, even if that place that you're applying for is third on your list, you know,
go ahead and apply. So that way you have that option, just in case.
Peyton
Yes, for sure. I think you, you never know what's going to end up happening and stuff.
And like you said, make sure to go tour because, I know kind of skip back to junior
college, I toured like 5 or 6 different junior colleges. And when I went to Redlands,
I immediately left knowing it felt like home. And so, sometimes you just get that
feeling about places. So I definitely encourage kids to go and, and check the different
schools out.
Macey
Cool, awesome. Okay, so after you made that decision, you went, you visited, you were
like, yep, Oklahoma State is a place for me: What did that actual transfer process
look like? And I know you're still kind of working through some of that, but up until
this point, what has that looked like?
Peyton
Yeah. So, main-basically is what the main thing was, is actually, before I even finished
touring the schools, I was interested in, like you said, I applied for the transfer,
application. And so basically, each school, no matter where you go, has their own
portal. And so you just fill out all your information and some-it depends on the school,
but some of them ask like essay questions or stuff like that that you have to apply
to them. And then you'll have to submit your transcript from Redlands to whatever
school you're applying for. And then before you're accepted, you have to have your
second semester's transcript in. And so for me, I submitted it on my first semester.
And then before I can be accepted, I had to make sure my transfer listed over to them
starting with my second semester classes, and so I did that. And then you can either
apply for Oklahoma State with a virtual orientation, or you can go to an in-person
orientation. And so then for me, I chose to do the virtual one, and they kind of talk
you through, you know, just, you know, things like sports passes and all the little
details and fees you have to do and kind of give you an overview of the school and
everything, and then they'll send you into your own thing. And then the-your-they'll
assign you a-oh my gosh, I'm blanking on the word-your own advisor. You're assigned
you're own advisor. And so my advisor has been great. He's texted me personally. And
if I ever have any questions, he's quick to answer everything. And so, they'll help
you out and claim your classes. And it's really easy process, actually. So I think
Redlands has been great with making sure, you know, my advisor, you help me with my
classes and stuff, and so making sure that every class I take will transfer smoothly
into the next school I go to. I think the first time we sat down and talked about
school options and what I was kind of thinking and making sure that the classes I
was in were going to transfer in. And so I haven't had any issues with that and everything's
been transferring good, so yeah.
Macey
Good. That's awesome. And it's really good. We have a good working relationship with
several universities and even got an invite from the department head at OSU to visit
about, you know, the Oklahoma State curriculum and make sure that we're aligned. And
so there's a lot of, you know, alignment between the junior college and the senior
college to make sure that process is really singular. So, I'm glad that that's been
your experience so far. Is there anything that you wish you would have known earlier
in this process?
Peyton
Honestly, it's been pretty smooth and an easy transition. I think the biggest thing
is, you know, like thinking back about things, I may be changing, stuff like that.
I-coming in even my high school credits, you know, I was worried about how those would
transfer in or, for me, even I'm not exactly sure what I was wanting to do after college.
And so making sure I was on the right degree path and majoring in the right thing
and stuff like that, I was kind of worried about that. And the longer I'd been in
college, I realized that everything kind of plays out how was supposed to, and experiences
and opportunities will come up to where everything falls in line like it needs to,
and to not worry about that stuff as much. And here at Redlands we're, like I said,
really blessed with great advisors. And so I never, even coming from an out-of-state
student who took classes at a junior college through my high school in Missouri, I
never have had problems with any of that stuff, transferring over here at Redlands
or from Redlands to OSU. And so, some of those things, you get caught up in the moment,
like worrying and making sure it's all going to plan out. It all finds a way. And
so I'd say just enjoy each step and process as it goes, because, you know, for me,
maybe you don't have to worry as much when you look back.
Macey
Yeah, I think that's really good advice. And we've talked about that several times
before on other episodes about how it can be really easy to feel that pressure of:
I need to know what I want to do someday. I need to know what my major needs to be.
And I'm really glad that you made that point of everything kind of works out. And,
you know, there's a lot of value in an experience that you love. Like, let's say you
have an internship or a job shadow or something that you love. There's also just as
much value in something that you discover: oh, I don't like this as much as I thought
I was going to. And so, it's okay that things change, and I can almost guarantee that
things and plans and goals are going to change as time goes on. And so, just because
you know your career goals and things shift, doesn't mean that your major has been
a mistake or a waste of time. There's so much overlap and you-I have a degree in animal
science and work in higher education, so I think that's just a testament to: it's
okay if things shift. [Sure, sure.] And I think, you know, your involvement in outside
things that, that, you know, influences a lot of your ability to get jobs and showing
your, you know, your work ethic, like being on the judging team or being involved
and that kind of stuff. Employers are going to look just as much at your extracurriculars
and your work ethic and where you're spending your time, you know, as they're looking
at your degree, maybe even more so.
Peyton
Yeah, sure. [Yeah.] And then like even the add on that, like for me, I was an ag comm
major here at Redlands, but, when I'm transferring, I was kind of thinking about things,
and as I'd done some internships and stuff like that, I wanted to kind of change my
direction. And so for me, even though I'm transferring, I actually decided to transfer
and move to an ag business and add a minor to it. And so even with that, it's been
seamless and really easy to work with. And so I think that's a great thing about junior
college also, is you get a lot of your general eds out and, and done with and so then,
you know, if you decide maybe this isn't the exact path, it's super easy to transfer
those things over and decide something different that you want to do [inaudible].
Macey
Yeah, for sure. So now that you're getting ready for the next chapter, you're getting
ready to transfer to Oklahoma State this fall: What are you most excited and or nervous
for as you're transitioning to OSU?
Peyton
Yeah, for sure. I would say that, honestly, I'm-coming to a junior college first I
think really, prevents, I guess, having a lot of nerves going into a four-year for
me. I think the experiences you have in a junior college are priceless, because not
only, like I said, you get to make connections and meet people, like in a smaller
setting versus a large university, but also, you know, carry the transition of like,
hey, living at home with mom and dad and family to going to a really nice apartment
where it's not really a dorm, but you're not having your own house and all those things.
That transition really prepares you, I think, for the next thing. I was actually talking
with my parents the other day about just all these experiences you don't realize are
happening in the moment until you look back and you're like, wow, I really grew these
past two years, not just from like an academic standpoint or, you know, a judging
standpoint, but just personally and maturing and doing those next steps and things.
So, having those experiences, really, from my standpoint, I'm not super nervous about
a lot of the things at OSU. I'm really excited kind of to take that next step and
have bigger classes and meet new people and kind of have more challenging courses
and stuff that are more specific to my degree. So, those are the some of the things
I'm excited for. And they, like I said, obviously the football games, I think they're
supposed to have a little bit better of a team this year. So, fingers crossed on that.
But I think those are some things, obviously with the livestock judging team, just
meeting new people and networking and continuing to meet people within that are interested
in seeing things as you, so.
Macey
Awesome, I think that's great. It'll be-I'm really excited for you to experience that.
Obviously, that's where I'm at school too, and I think that you'll really enjoy that.
And I agree, I think that Redlands has a stepping stone between high school and, you
know, learning how to live independently and growing a little bit. It's such a good
stepping stone. And there's, you know, so much support here for you guys as you're
learning and you're transitioning to that because sometimes that's a hard transition
for students. And I think this is a good, safe place for you guys to go through that
and then go on. And I'm so excited to see what you know is in store for you as you
transfer on to OSU.
Peyton
Yeah, for sure. It's kind of a bittersweet, bittersweet thing because this is definitely
feels like a home. Two years here flies by and for sure, one of the best decisions
I think me and my teammates would all attest to that. One of the best things we decided
to do. And so, like I said, it's more of a family here too. There's-I would-if I had
to do it ten times over, I'd definitely choose a JuCo and come to Redmond's every
time.
Macey
You're sweet. I'm so glad that you feel that way. So, as we're kind of wrapping up
and getting to the end of our episode, if you are talking to, you know, one of our
current freshmen that's transitioning to their sophomore year, they're starting to
think about this. What advice would you give students that are thinking about that
transfer process?
Peyton
I would say like it kind of said earlier, try not to worry and just enjoy it and really
take the advice of those, you know, whether it's your advisors you're working with
or teachers or different professors you meet, take their advice because they've experienced
it and lived through it. I know I've come to you[Macey] in a lot of different circumstances
and just, you've already been through it and you already know kind of how things work.
And so everything works out, and don't rush to different steps. I know, like I said,
I kind of will always look forward, okay, I need to do this or I need to do that.
What's the next thing I need to be looking for? Just live in the moment and enjoy
where you're at and know that it's all going to work out. And so I would suggest doing
that. And then when you come to a JuCo or whatever college you decide to do, like
you said, get involved and push yourself to be better and really make the most of
each moment and experience you have at your school. So
Macey
Awesome. You're so wise, Peyton. [I don't know about all that.] You have so much good
advice, and I think that this will really help a lot of our listeners. But I just
want to say I'm really proud of you. For our listeners, Peyton has been very competitive
on our judging team. She was an All-American this year. I have no doubt that she's
going to make a big impact at OSU on the judging team and in the department, and so
I'm so excited to see what the future has in store for you. I'm so sad that you're
leaving us, but I'm really excited to see what you're going to accomplish. Sure. [Thank
you. I really appreciate it.] Yeah. We're going to wrap up before we both start crying
because we're emotional. But thank you for coming on the podcast [Of course, thanks
for having me.] Telling this to our listeners. Yeah, I think it was great, and I think
you've shared so much valuable information with our listeners. So. thank you guys
for joining us on another episode and we will see you next time.
