Finding someone to get good advice from can sometimes be as difficult as the decision itself. To help aid in this process, the University Career Services Committee gives an award to someone at Ohio State who is involved in career advising.
Karol Fike, assistant professor in animal sciences, was awarded this year’s Career Services Award.
“UCSC solicits nominations campus-wide for individuals with official job responsibilities which do not include career advising, who go above and beyond the call of duty to work with students to promote career development related activities,” said Amy Lahmers, of the UCSC.
Fike was nominated for the award by Stacie Smith, a senior in animal sciences, and Jim Kinder, chairman of the department of animal sciences.
Fike grew up in Iowa on her family farm which raises cattle and sheep. She went to college at Iowa State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1991. She then earned both her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
At Ohio State, Fike teaches introductory animal sciences and team teaches both animal products and the freshmen research seminar. She is also the internship program coordinator for her department. She said an internship is required of each undergraduate as part of their major.
“I’m not sure if I am really deserving of this award. I just feel like it’s a bigger deal – that I haven’t done any more than a lot of people do,” Fike said.
She said she thinks it comes as a natural extension of her involvement with the internship program. Talking to students about their interests and possible career paths makes it easier to find the right internship program for the right student.
“Teaching an introductory class, I see a lot of the students in our major early on, so I get to know them as freshman. I think the most fun part of what I do is working with students and just trying to help them out when they really need help and are seeking advice,” Fike said.
Learning her students’ names is one of the most valuable tools she uses in the classroom. She said it usually takes her awhile, but it has turned out to be more useful than she ever imagined.
“Just getting to know them, they’re more likely to come up and ask questions or come to office hours for help and advice,” Fike said.
Having open ears and a caring attitude help her to communicate her experiences and give advice to the students she is involved with.
Smith first met Fike by taking one of her introductory animal science courses as a freshman. She said, like most freshman, she was struggling to figure out what she would do after graduation.
“Upon returning for my sophomore year, I was in search of career guidance, but instead of calling my assigned advisor, I looked up Dr. Fike’s office number. I knew she would help me sort through my goals and decide on a plan for the rest of my undergraduate time at Ohio State,” Smith said.
She was trying to decide between going to graduate or veterinary school. After talking to Fike, they both decided that more time was necessary before choosing a career path. They agreed it would be good for Smith to gain some research experience while still an undergraduate student.
“It was then that Dr. Fike went above and beyond her duties and gave me a job herself. I began by helping her graduate student with his project, assisting with field and lab work,” Smith said.
After a few months Fike offered her an internship where she would have the opportunity to carry out her own research project.
Smith recently won first place in the agricultural and environmental sciences category of the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum.
“She has surpassed her responsibilities as an advisor and a teacher and has become my mentor,” Smith said.
On the door of Fike’s office, there is a small poster that reads, “Students are deserving of our most courteous and attentive treatment” and “It is our privilege to fulfill those needs.”
“Dr. Fike is one of the few people I know who stands by the motivational words she has chosen to display. I am grateful to have had her help in creating my career plan, and it has truly been an honor and my great privilege to know her,” Smith said.
Jim Kinder, department chair for animal sciences, has worked with Fike since she was a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kinder was her overseeing professor during her graduate work.
“It became obvious during her graduate program that Karol had a strong desire to work with students, both in the classroom and beyond, and that she had unique attributes in this regard,” Kinder said.
“Her professionalism and strong desire to help students along life’s way were and remain two of her strongest attributes,” he said.
Kinder said Fike has excelled in working with students at OSU during the three years she has been here. He said she has a primary focus on undergraduate student programs and development of high quality internship opportunities for undergraduate students. Kinder said this has been a significant benefit to many of these students in enhancing their career opportunities.
“Karol has an open door policy and always has time for the students. They are without question her highest priority, and students perceive her strong desire to help them,” Kinder said.
