Field Report: Student Career Days

Student Career Days celebrated its 30th birthday in Provo, UT. T-shirts from every event were stitched into a commemorative quilt. (See more event photos below).

PROVO, UT -- Student Career Days hit a landmark birthday this year, celebrating the big 3-0 at Brigham Young University March 22-26.

More than 800 students from 50 colleges across the United States carried on the SCD legacy by competing in 26 different events in the industry's "landscape Olympics" sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).

This year's event celebrated 30 years with style as students gathered on Wednesday, March 22, for a landscaping service project at the Olympic Village in nearby Park City. Participants had the chance to attend a free seminar given by author Stephen Covey's (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) associate Boyd Craig on Thursday, and the keynote events -- the career fair and competitions -- kicked off on Friday.

"This is your opportunity to get a gold medal, and it's not just about the competition," SCD Chairman Jim McCutcheon told the assembled crowd at the opening ceremonies on Friday, March 24.

McCutcheon, of HighGrove Partners, celebrated his final year as SCD chairman with his trademark "Boo-yah!" rallying cry. Next year Chapel Valley Landscape's Jennifer Buck takes over as event chair.

Amid the university chants and waving flags at the opening ceremonies, participants took a look back in the history books as PLANET presented a video of SCD through the years, notably narrated in part by Bob Callaway, founder of the first ALCA Student Field Day in 1977.

"Today, all roads lead to BYU," John Keeler, national training manager for event platinum sponsor Stihl told the opening ceremonies crowd. "You are here, your mentors are here, the industry is here. The road to your future is clearly marked."

Friday's career fair included more than 90 industry participants who scheduled interviews for openings in everything from maintenance to design.

"The students here have the educational background we look for," said Bill Leidecker, president of Columbus, Ohio's Five Seasons Landscape Management. "I'm impressed every year with the students. It's a breath of fresh air."

On Saturday teams split up for the indoor and outdoor competitive events. Wearing matching team t-shirts and cheering each other on, students climbed trees, laid pavers, navigated skid steers, gave sales pitches and identified plants.

"Wow," said BYU professor, organizer and event host Phil Allen. "There's just so much energy here."

Next year, students will descend on Michigan State University for the 31st Student Career Days March 29-April 1.

SCD major sponsors included Stihl (platinum); Ariens/Gravely/Stens (gold); Caterpillar, Husqvarna, John Deere Worldwide/John Deere Landscapes, and The TruGreen Cos. (silver); Brickman, Pavestone, Outside Unlimited, and The Toro Co. (bronze).

Student Career Days snapshots The Penn State team mugs for the camera.   The paving installation team from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo gets the surface prepared.   Juan Vila, right, of Vila & Son, interviews a Clemson University student at the career fair.   Jessica Graff and Danielle Davis, Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale students, had a great experience at the career fair. "Every year there are more opportunities for women," Davis said.   University of Florida's Jason Lee navigates a loader on the outside course.