By Ashley Wiskirchen
In the midst of Auburn University’s “125 Years of Auburn Women” celebration, the Poultry Science Club hosted three successful young Department of Poultry Science alumnae who now work at Aviagen were back on campus in October.
The three, accompanied by 1997 department alumnus Jeremy Martin, director of Aviagen’s quality assurance department, were Clara Goldman, a 2014 graduate of the program, 2015 alumna Kasey Blore and 2016 graduate Karri Fievet.
The club frequently hosts industry representatives as part of its professional development benefits for members. These representatives present their work, discuss industry trends and provide advice and support as students think about their careers beyond graduation.
As quality assurance director, Martin, who has been with Aviagen for almost 20 years, offered tips on interview preparation and discussed hot topics within the industry and how to move up within a company after being hired.
The club recognized Goldman, Blore and Fievet—all of whom are former Auburn Poultry Science Club presidents—as young, influential alumnae who have trail blazed new paths for themselves and other women in the industry post-graduation.
During her time at as club president, Goldman was extremely instrumental in the Poultry Science Club’s recognition as Club of the Year at the 2014 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.
Goldman now serves Aviagen as their Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Pedigree Division.
“The opportunities in Aviagen and the industry are endless, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it,” she says. In her position, she has had the opportunity to travel internationally as an Aviagen representative.
Blore, who was hired by Aviagen after graduating in 2015, now serves as the quality assurance coordinator at Aviagen’s Egg Distribution Center in Elkmont. She is responsible for investigating current procedures and analyzing data to improve processes at the facility.
“As a woman in poultry, even though I’m a recent graduate and recent hire at Aviagen, I feel like the opportunities within the company are amazing, both for men and women,” she said.
Fievet agreed.
“Sure, there are some adversities, there are with any job, but being confident and direct in a friendly way helps to build a relationship with co-workers,” she said. “If you show you know your stuff, you earn the same respect as any other person there.”
Fievet is Aviagen’s international standards of operations, or ISO, internal auditor and is responsible for managing the quality management system and conducting internal audits at company facilities to ensure Aviagen’s standards are being met efficiently.
All four visitors from Aviagen gave club members advice and perspective on getting involved inside and outside the classroom, networking and building relationships with working members of the industry, and trying new things academically and professionally.
Find more on Aviagen at http://en.aviagen.com/ and more on Auburn’s 125 Years of Auburn Women program at www.alumni.auburn.edu/women.
