A podcasting club in eighth grade to help students connect to one another led Nathan DeYoung to the future path of innovative communications and marketing.
The Middletown, Ind., resident plugged into social media when he joined FFA. Through his podcasting and social media experience, he developed a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that focused on communications and marketing.
Today that experience has earned the Shenandoah FFA member the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the American Star in Agribusiness.
During the first two years, DeYoung concentrated mostly on social media, but then his attention shifted to graphic design, mass communications and then marketing. He also works on web design along with videography and photography.
That culmination of skills has allowed him to be innovative on what he offers his clients. He created a business from the ground up and strives to meet his customers’ needs.
“I always try to instill trust with my clients and help them understand the process that is being used,” DeYoung says.
DeYoung credits FFA for everything from helping him be more decisive to acquiring customer service skills.
“When I first joined FFA, I was a reserved person and kind of shy. I wasn’t that person who would put myself out there and take risks,” DeYoung says. “But FFA taught me through classes and the experiences outside the classroom to take risks. And it’s those risks that have allowed me to push my SAE forward.”
DeYoung praises his advisors, Tammie Gadberry and Steve Hickey, for their encouragement and feedback they provided. He also credits his parents, Stephanie and Randy, for their support.
The Ball State University student is now pursuing a degree in telecommunications (news and meteorology). His advice to others is: “Don’t shy away from your dream. Don’t let your idea get shot down,” DeYoung says. “It might seem wild or crazy and may be kind of risky, but stick with your idea and progress with it. When I started seventh grade, I didn’t know this would grow into a communications business, but I knew it would make an impact. Just be be persistent with your thoughts and ideas.”
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