The Bozeman university even played host to the College National Finals Rodeo for 25 years until 1997.

Sandy Gagnon taught a few horse science classes each semester for four decades before retiring last year. Veterinarian Jack Catlin also taught courses on horses.

So it’s little wonder that MSU added a four-year equine science option to its Animal and Range Sciences Department in 2002. Previously students could take horse classes within the department’s livestock option, but also were required to take cattle, sheep and swine classes.

The expansion in science-based horse programs began in the mid 1990s when the movie “The Horse Whisperer,” filmed near Bozeman, made horse riding more popular than ever.

Creation of the equine-science option came because of student demand. But even MSU officials were surprised at the program’s rapid growth.

Eleven students enrolled or switched to the equine option when it was first offered in spring semester 2002.

By fall 2003, the first time the course was offered to incoming freshmen and Assistant Professor Shannon Moreaux’s first teaching semester, 41 students declared equine science their major.

The number of students studying horses has grown to 65, making it the most popular option most years within the Animal and Range Department, said Moreaux, program director.

The equine-science option has drawn many out-of-state students. MSU’s popular riding arena just west of campus is available to all students, and success in riding classes has spurred several students to switch to equine science.

“The equine-science option has boosted our enrollment,” said Bret Olson, Animal and Range Sciences Department chairman.

Enrollment in the department had been static in the early 2000s, he said, but the equine option has had the net effect of increasing enrollment by 60 students.

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Tom Prieve leads the equine program at M-State-Fergus Falls. Students in the program may earn a one-year diploma. Starting in the fall, they may choose a two-year degree.FERGUS FALLS, Minn. —The equine program at M-State-Fergus Falls is only two years old, but it’s already expanding.

The program, created as a one-year diploma offering, will add a second year in the fall. Students in year two can work in a paid internship for the summer or fall and, after completing courses at the college or online in spring, earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Tom Prieve leads the program. The food animal veterinarian and general science instructor calls the equine course unique. It partners the college’s classroom courses with hands-on horse and stable classes at Red Horse Ranch Arena and paid internships through Communicating for America.

While Prieve oversees the courses, RHRA boarding supervisor Andrew Hinrichs leads the hands-on horse and stable classes in the arena located north of Fergus Falls.

“Our philosophy from the get-go is that we want to make good workers,” Prieve said. “Horse skills are secondary. We teach core abilities. That includes personal responsibility and a work ethic.”

Working with people is key in the industry, he said.

“The horse business is a people business,” Prieve said. “You have to be able to communicate. Whether you are talking to the banker or a customer, you need communication skills. It’s all part of the business.”

The program is serious about deadlines, he said. Students are required to do chores.

“So you have to show up and do it,” he said. “Because its a working stable.”

M-State’s equine course offerings also reflect the business side of the industry and offers transferable courses should students continue their college instruction.

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If you’re competiting for a job or career and you don’t have a degree (and your target career normally requires one), you’ll need to get a little creative in your job search. One idea is to write a letter to your prospective employer and explain your life and work experiences, what you’ve learned over the years, and add something like “I made the choice to upgrade my skills on the job rather than go back for another degree because I realized I would learn more of real value.”

Also, be sure to take advantage of any “use it or lose it” benefits that are still available, such as tuition assistance programs, legal benefits or other employer-specific offerings. Under a federal law called COBRA-Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act-your employer is required to extend your health and dental insurance, for up to 18 months.

Find out whether you are covered by your new employer’s health insurance right away, or if you have a waiting period. If necessary, you may be able to continue your health and insurance benefits from your previous employer until you’re covered by the new employer.

To fund that growth, small businesses need access to capital in the form of both long- and short-term loans or investment capital. Yet small firms often don’t have the collateral or credit history to qualify for financing through normal lending channels.

That’s where the SBA comes in. They have loan programs and services to meet most of your business needs. To find out how their programs and services can work for you, just give them a call. For the district office nearest you, look in the telephone book under “U.S. Government,” or call (800) 8-ASK-SBA.SBA Financial Assistance Programs

7(a) Loan Guaranty Program

The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program is the SBA’s primary loan program. The SBA reduces risk to lenders by guaranteeing major portions of loans made to small businesses. This enables the lenders to provide financing to small businesses when funding is otherwise unavailable on reasonable terms. The eligibility requirements and credit criteria of the program are very broad in order to accommodate a wide range of financing needs.

Telephone job interviews are especially common for positions that are out of State, attract many applications, or require a good telephone demeanor. A phone interview is similar to a traditional interview, but it poses special challenges.

If your phone has a call-waiting feature, consider disabling it the day of the interview. You do not want to put the interviewer on hold, and persistent call waiting beeps are distracting. Take advantage of being on your home turf by having your resume, pen, paper, appointment calendar, notes, and reminders within easy reach.

Remember to speak clearly and listen attentively, just as you would if you were meeting with the interviewer in person. Even though no one can see you, your voice betrays attitudes and confidence; sometimes, sitting up straight can help project enthusiasm over the phone.

In fact, it’s a good idea always to be improving your skills so that you will be an attractive candidate for a new job, whether it’s within your company or with a different employer. That way, you’ll be in a position to make exciting and advantageous career moves in the future because you want to-not because you have to.

I always advise my career coaching clients to have a “Plan B” in place at all times. The question to ask yourself is this: what would you do if for some reason you lost your job tomorrow? This is especially important for older workers who have been at the same company for a long time. They’re usually the hardest hit by a sudden layoff or job termination.

The idea is to have a solid game plan in place before something like that happens, so you can hit the ground running and already be job prospecting, instead of scrambling around in a panic trying to figure out what you’re going to do.

Did you know that up to 80% of job openings are never advertised, and never appear in any job bulletin boards, classified ads, or career web sites. These are part of the so-called “hidden” job market, These jobs are usually filled through the grapevine, or an “good-old-boy” network of referrals from friends, family, and professional associates.

Many employers prefer to do their hiring this way, and most good jobs are found through the hidden job market. Employers are a skittish bunch, and many are fearful of hiring someone “off the street.” They feel that if someone is personally recommended, then at least they can trust this new employee not to run off with the company payroll at the first opportunity.

So what does this hidden job market mean for you as a job seeker? It means you need to get off the couch and start networking with as many people as you can find in your target career field. Use the internet, join trade organizations, and find out where these people socalize. Have a business card made up and hand out as many as you can. Carry a writing pad, and jot down the name and phone number of anyone who asks you to call them–and be sure to follow up with them while the memory’s still fresh!

And don’t stop there. Tell your friends, tell your family, tell anyone who’ll listen that you’re actively persuing a new career. If you’re looking to create a buzz within your target industry, then you’ll have to work every day to get the word out, and keep the word out.

With luck, you’ll soon be one of the 80% of new hires in this unadvertised and underground job market.