Math and Science

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

Blayne Arthur
Associate Commissioner

Blayne Arthur earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University in 2004. Arthur said she has always been involved in agriculture and she participated in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program when she was young. Now, she works as an associate commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, a job she said uses the business and agriculture knowledge she learned in school on a daily basis.

Why did you choose your major?

I grew up being involved in agriculture and the FFA. I knew that a degree in agricultural economics would provide me with the tools to be successful in almost any arena. An agricultural economics degree provides a wealth of business knowledge combined with agricultural experience that allows for individuals to excel in a variety of professions.

What did you like about the experience?

I thoroughly enjoyed obtaining my agricultural economics degree. There were many real-world scenarios provided that allowed us to apply our classroom work in a beneficial manner on a regular basis.

How has it impacted your career?

My agricultural economics degree has been my golden ticket to several job opportunities. The combination of business knowledge and agriculture I gained in school has always been reflected upon positively by other professionals. Many of the tools I picked up and polished in school are part of my everyday resources that I rely on to be an effective employee.

What skills from your degree do you still use?

I use several of the skills I learned while in school on a daily basis. It might be financial analysis when evaluating a budget for the year or macro-economics when looking at the price of commodities. A big part of what I learned in college was effective communication and resource utilization and those two skills are of the utmost importance to my professional career.

What advice would you give prospective students?

I would encourage students to pursue a career that they are passionate about first and foremost. You spend a large majority of your life doing your job, so it might as well be a rewarding experience. I think choosing a degree can be challenging, but if you enjoy the subject matter, you can always find a career that rewards you for your passion and knowledge.