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Students with high-need degrees get jobs that have salaries well above the state’s median income.
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$1.5 Billion
Our agricultural research has a massive economic impact on rural North Carolina.
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27-to-1 ROI
NC State Extension helps fuel the state’s economy by delivering solutions directly to residents.
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Your Path to CALS
A love for animals led Alexia Alexander to NC State CALS. Now, as a graduate, she`s on a path toward a thriving career in veterinary medicine. 🩺
Alexander, who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, graduated last weekend with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. She made the most of her time at NC State, mentoring and guiding students as a CALS Ambassador, finding community within NC State`s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapter and working at an avian and exotic animal care practice, where she will move into a treatment role this summer.
“I came into NC State knowing what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to get there," she said. "I grew into the woman I’m supposed to be.”
In the fall, she plans to work in laboratory animal medicine at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her plans after that include applying to veterinary school in the 2027-28 cycle, with NC State at the top of her list. She’s also considering a master’s degree in animal science to keep her options open.
Read more about Alexander and her time at NC State at the link in our bio.
Meet recent CALS graduate Elle Steinlage! ✨🎓
Steinlage is from Morrisville, North Carolina, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science earlier this May. She was a leader on campus, serving as the president of NC State`s Agricultural Communicators Program, encouraging students as an @ahsncstate ambassador and being an active member of Ducks Unlimited and the Delta Gamma Sorority.
In addition to her studies and campus involvements, Steinlage was crowned the 2025 NC Watermelon Queen, a role in which she worked to promote the production and consumption of watermelon in the state.
Her advice for future CALS students?
“Get as involved as possible — don’t be afraid to attend club meetings or events on your own, because some of the best opportunities and friendships come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, always be kinder than necessary to others.”
This summer, she will intern with @collinsproduceandflowers as part of the CALS Rural Works! program. In the fall, she hopes to continue pursuing her passion for marketing, communications and social media within the agricultural industry.
Congratulations, Elle, and welcome to the CALS Alumni Pack!
From a middle school FFA member to a graduate of NC State CALS, Chloé Sharpe has sown a passion for agriculture into a field of opportunity. 🌱
Sharpe graduated this past weekend with a degree in agroecology and sustainable food systems, which she describes as the study of sustainable agriculture from seed to fork. Between leading @ncsu_agroecology and interning with @ncstateextension, she has spent her college career building community and championing agriculture.
“I’ve been learning who I am and what I’m good at outside of everything that I had been labeled as — and I don’t mean that negatively. People, when you’re growing up, they want to help you reach your full potential, and so they’re like, ‘I notice you’re good at this, so why don’t you do that?’ That’s how I ended up in FFA and that has led me here, so I’m grateful for that.”
Now, she hopes to take her passion for sustainable agriculture and service into a career with NC State Extension to help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.
Read more about Sharpe and her experience at NC State CALS at the link in our bio.
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