Name: Ingrid Oman Tusa

Home State: Texas

Your Job Title and Employer: Co-Owner, Tusa Show Cattle

What do you do on a typical day at work?
• Manage investments, track expenditures and organize sales of high quality show cattle.
• Coordinate bookkeeping along with daily maintenance of business website.
• Assist with customer service calls and client consultations on a routine basis.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Working with people in the cattle industry.

Do you get to travel a lot, or mostly spend time in an office? Which do you prefer? I work from our home office which means I spend approx. 70% of my time working in the office. 30% of my time traveling to county fairs, meeting with clients, and traveling through the Midwest to cattle ranches.

How did you get interested in this career? My lifetime background in agriculture was the main reason why I was interested in building the business with my husband. Plus, my experience with show cattle was an added bonus.

What was your college major, and do you think that degree was crucial in helping you get to the career you are right at now? Graduated with a bachelor of science in Agricultural Economics. Recieved a masters in Agricultural Education

My degree in ag economics helped me with understanding the basic financial structure I would need. In addition, I was able to learn how to improve my communication and marketing skills.

My masters in ag education helped me with teaching today's youth and learning how to reach learners of all types.

What advice would you have for someone who is searching for a collage and trying to choose a degree? My advice would be to be open to many ideas. Even if you start out in one field, more than likely you will find that you end up interested in another field. Be willing to take risks and try new things. You may be surprised what you end up choosing!

If you were hiring an employee, what are the top three skills you look for and why? Responsibility, Professionalism and Communication Skills.

Does someone's GPA have a big factor in whether you would hire them? For me, no. I would like to see a combination of average grades and significant involvment in activities.

If you could have any other dream job besides the one you have now, what would it be? Event Planner

Who is someone you admire professionally and why? I have always admired Dr. Chris Skaggs. He is someone who is well represented and has strong social skills. He is very professional and is very willing to help his students when they need him, even after they have long since graduated from his program.

Have you had any mentors who have helped you in your career? If so, who? Do you think mentors are important? I have had many mentors who have helped me in my career. Mentors are important because they are someone you can always call on when you need help, advice or someone to simply talk to.

Who's the person you go to "bounce ideas around with?" My husband and partner, Jacob Tusa

Is your job directly involved in agriculture? If not, how doyou still get your "fix" of still being involved in the agriculture industry? Yes

What are you thoughts about young people's profiles and photos being on facebook/myspace while trying to find a job? I believe that young people should be aware of the photos and wording on their profiles. They need to realize that anyone can see this and if they don't fell comfortable with their parents or potential employers seeing this, they need to remove it from their profile. A first impression is key.

Which of these would you rather be? The judge of the Denver Steer Show, the Breeder of the Grand Champion Steer, the Exhibitor of the Grand Champion Steer, or the Person who fit the Grand Champion Steer? Why? Exhibitor

Did you grow up showing livestock? If so, what? Yes — I showed cattle (both steers and heifers) and hogs.

Favorite Stock Show: Fort Worth

Why? It's the granddaddy of them all. If you ask me, it's the most competitive show in the country. Plus, the cattle are awesome and it's the only haired major show left in Texas!