The Real World

Out and about

Zoe Pow has had her share of stink jobs, including cleaning hotel rooms in the central North Island. Luckily Zoe graduated from uni and now loves her job as a fertiliser representative for Waikato dairy farmers.

Zoe grew up on a dairy farm in Northland. After helping her parents on the farm in her spare time, she decided the dairy industry was the place to be. “I wanted to be in the dairy industry but I knew that I was never going to be very good at on-farm jobs, so I had to start searching to see what else was out there.”

“Going to agriculture events such as the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek helped me see the bigger picture of the dairy industry and gave me the chance to talk to others in the industry.”

Zoe’s experience at Massey University helped her get where she is today.

“Uni not only taught me all the technical theory and skills but it was an awesome experience and I learnt a lot about myself.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do once I had finished university, so I went to as many career days as possible at Massey. A fertiliser representative offered to take me out on the job with him for a day and I have never looked back."

Zoe says being a fertiliser representative for Ravensdown is all about helping clients improve their farm systems.

“On an average day I could be on-farm testing soils, putting together a nutrient budget for a farmer or suggesting basic animal welfare products for the farm.”

At 21, Zoe is practically her own boss, out and about visiting clients all day as well as attending various field days and discussion groups with other rural professionals and farmers. “You have to be pretty driven and organised working alone out in the field, but it is lots of fun.”

Zoe says her favourite part of the job is how the dairy industry is constantly changing. “Whether it is genetics, a different type of fertiliser, animal health care or technology, the industry is an exciting one. Plus I love working with farmers. They are so friendly and laidback – depending, of course, on the time of year.”

“There is a real need for good quality fertiliser representatives - if you are confident and passionate, go for it!”