Name: Amy Chamberlin, M.S. 
Employer: Oxbow Animal Health. Oxbow Animal Health provides high quality diets and nutrition products for small mammals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
Job Title: Product Development & Nutrition Specialist
Years with current employer: 2 years
Educational Background: Amy graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a minor in Agricultural Leadership Education Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006. From there, she attended Texas A&M University from 2007-2009 and graduated with a Master of Science degree in Animal Nutrition.
Job Description: Amy states, “My job description, if explained in full, would be a page of its own. I am responsible for conducting product research and playing a prominent role in the product development efforts of Oxbow. I work to identify research and recommend new ideas as well as expand upon existing ones. I source and research ingredients, formulate products, and design and manage research studies. I assist our Quality Assurance Manager and provide technical support to marketing when needed. A key responsibility I hold is providing technical support and expertise to customer inquiries via phone call or e-mail. Lastly, I attend conferences working for Oxbow and give internal/external presentations when called upon.”
Favorite Component of Her Job: Amy says, “I love that no day is the same and I am in an environment that allows me to research and be creative. I love that I still have the opportunity to work hands on with animals. Also, I get to travel minimally in my position but the conferences I do attend and work are a great experience.”
Least Favorite Component of Her Job: Amy commutes to her job in rural Murdock, NE. She admits, “Truthfully, the least favorite thing about my job is the drive from Omaha out here and back every day. Not necessarily the gas expense but more the fact that it makes it more difficult to be able to just come in a work a few hours on the weekend if I wanted to.”
A Special Experience or Story about Her Job: “Through working at Oxbow I was given the opportunity to attend the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games for a couple days. We purchase ingredients from a company called Alltech and they were the main sponsor of this event. Our representative for Alltech gave me all expenses paid 3 day trip to the games and it was an absolutely incredible experience.”
Amy Chamberlin’s Recommendations to Those Interested in a Career Similar to His Own: “I would recommend gathering as much experience as you can in multiple fields, job shadow many areas so you can familiarize yourself with the industry as a whole, and get as involved as you can with school clubs, volunteering and getting your name known. Truthfully, A LOT about who you know, not necessarily what you know. Utilize your advisor/teachers as they are a key contact into the industry and never be afraid of trying something new/unfamiliar as you never know what good could come out of it unless you try.”
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