Alumni Spotlight

Name: Cole Thompson

Current Title: Director of Green Section Research

Organization: United States Golf Association

Majors: B.S. Horticulture (2008), M.S. Horticulture (2011), Ph.D. Horticulture (2014)

K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!

Why did you choose K-State?

I'm one of four children, and my two older brothers went to the University of Kansas. I didn't give it a second thought to go anywhere else but K-State. I started out studying math. However, as I continued working on golf courses, I decided that was an area I wanted to pursue. It was a clear decision for me. Also, everyone I knew in Kansas who was in that area of study had nothing but good things to say about the program at Kansas State University.

I was familiar with K-State and knew that you could study agriculture there. I chose this university for its great faculty and numerous opportunities for student involvement. It’s a great place to be.

I mostly worked outside of school at two local golf courses. I had the opportunity to spend time with fellow students studying turfgrass and the superintendents we worked for either in class, playing golf or getting the course ready for play. Balancing work and school taught me prioritization and time management. While some may not need to work while studying, I believe that managing both practices is a valuable experience for students.

What groups were you part of at K-State, and how did they help you in your career?

While attending K-State, I was involved in the Pi Alpha Xi, the National Honor Society for Horticulture and the Kansas State University chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

As a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, we had the chance to interact with the professional society for superintendents. Our chapter traveled to the annual conference every year. We had a booth at the tradeshow and we would meet superintendents from all over the country and talk about internship opportunities. Our degree program requires you to have two summer internships on golf courses and this event was a good networking opportunity to learn about other internships.

At the conference, we also competed in the Turf Bowl, which is a competition where you identify different weeds and turf grasses. You're also given problem-solving questions about what you would do in a scenario if you were a golf course superintendent. The competition made for great learning lessons I could apply to my future career.

My club involvement certainly helped to build my interpersonal skills and made me more aware of the world around me, which is probably the most important part of those experiences.

What advice do you have for students who want to stand out when graduating and applying for jobs?

The degree you receive is important, but the experiences you gain along the way will really help you stand out in a stack of resumes. It’s not just about having the right skills; it’s about knowing how to use those skills and finding ways to apply them in a real-world setting. Take time while you’re in school to research potential career paths that fit you well in the long run.

Also, pay attention to your interpersonal traits, as they will play a role in your future. Spend time perfecting your resume and cover letter—even if a job doesn’t require a cover letter. Writing one can show your interest in the position. Human resource managers will take notice of this effort.

When you get to the interview stage, remember to evaluate the interviewer too. Make sure to be yourself. If you feel you need to pretend to be someone you’re not, that job likely won’t be a good fit in the long run. Make sure your values align with those of the employer to ensure a positive experience.

What advice would you give your college self?

I’d tell my college self to slow down and appreciate the unique experience college and K-State have to offer. I love learning and consider myself a lifelong learner. My career lets me work on 80 different research projects nationwide which is fulfilling. Research is all about learning and as an undergraduate, your job is to learn. I wish I had focused more on enjoying that process.

There’s a balance between having a broad knowledge base and specializing too much. You want to develop specific skills but also be aware of other areas to fall back on.