Student Profile

Name: Samantha Pernsteiner

Major: Agricultural Economics

Minor: Animal Science

Year: Senior

Hometown: Ellendale, ND

Graduation Date: Spring 2021

Why did you choose NDSU? The endless opportunities that NDSU offers is the reason why I chose NDSU. I knew that no matter what career path I was going to take, NDSU would help me get there.

Why did you select the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources? I started my college career with the intent of getting my degree in Nursing. I knew if Nursing didn’t work out for me, I could always switch to one of the many ag related majors offered at NDSU – which is what happened the spring semester of my freshman year.

Clubs/organizations you’re involved in and why it’s beneficial. I am involved in multiple organizations on campus including Saddle and Sirloin (Vice President), Agribusiness Club (President), Ag Ambassadors (Secretary) and Collegiate Cattlewomen. I think being involved in organizations make or break your college experience. Organizations are where you get to meet people that have the same interests as you, and where you will meet some of your best friends in college.

List any internships and a brief description of what you did: I was an NDSU Extension Intern for the Summer of 2020. Every day of my internship was never the same, which is why I learned so much. I went on farm visits, crop scouting, diagnosed weeds, diagnosed trees, planned a county fair and the list goes on. I think having an internship is the best way to discover what careers interest you.

What is your greatest memory at NDSU? My greatest memory at NDSU has to be showing a pig in the 94^th Little International and getting first in my class. Never in a million years did I think that I would show a pig, let alone win a belt buckle! I think my pig taught me more than I taught him. He taught me to be patient and that progress takes time.

What are your future plans? Once I graduate from NDSU in the spring, I hope to obtain a job near my hometown of Ellendale, ND.