Meet the Mentors- Get to know Shelley Jones
In case you missed Week One and Two of the WIA #mentorshipmonday, here’s a link to our website. https://www.womeninag.ca/new-blog
Sticking with our November theme and kicking your week off with #motivationalmonday, we have Shelley Jones sharing her wisdom with WIA Members for week 3 for #mentorshipmonday.
Shelley is a proud AGvocate and is currently Manager of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Knowledge Centre. Her efforts toward improving the public perception of agriculture have seen the development and delivery of agriculture awareness, youth leadership, career promotion, and training programs under Growing Forward 2. A few of Shelley’s celebrated successes include the establishment of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, targeting awareness efforts to public audiences, and the extended reach of Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan programs and resources to the province’s teachers and students. Shelley is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture, and grew up on a ranch near Crane Valley, SK. She is also an active community volunteer and was recognized as Moose Jaw’s Citizen of the Year and awarded a Canada 150 Medal for her efforts.
1. What is the BEST mistake you have ever made in your career?
Accepting a job and then going back to the board chair three days later, after a public announcement, to turn it down because I was offered an instructing position at SIAST in their business program – it was less money, but it was something I was passionate about, and it turned out to be the right decision!
2. What have been your biggest “ah-ha” or learning moments throughout your career?
Despite not becoming a teacher (because it was traditionally what women did in my day and I was determined to do something different!) and learning later in life that teaching was I was meant to do. I am happiest and most fulfilled when I am public speaking (about agriculture of course!), facilitating training in my organization (Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture) and recruiting/hiring/coaching new, young employees to work in the agriculture industry. It fills my cup and has brought me immense gratification in my career!
3. What external organizations have you been involved with that helped build success for you?
4-H, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Moose Jaw Public School Board, Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce, Ag in the Classroom, and various community fundraising campaigns I have worked on, especially co-chairing the Multiplex Builders Capital Campaign and raising over $11M for Moose Jaw’s rink and field house (Mosaic Place and Yara Centre).
4. What is your main tool in managing life while cultivating your career?
Spending time with my girlfriends, my ‘besties’, my team. I still play ball with the same girls I started playing with in the early 1980s (yeah, we’re getting up there!). They are my safe place where I can go and just be Shelley – for a few hours I am nobody’s wife, nobody’s mom, nobody’s manager – I am just me, and it is the best therapy every! These women have been my champions and biggest cheerleaders throughout my career.
5. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would like to offer Sask Women in Ag members? Consider: some members are just entering the workforce, others have been working for 5 years, and there are also those who are 10 years into their careers.
Be authentic, be real and be yourself. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, to make mistakes and to take risks – that’s how we learn and grow! Spend time doing the things you love with the people who ‘fill your cup’. And reach out for advice and support when you need it – we’ve all been there!