From Passion to Purpose: How Sarah Schalm Found Her Career Through AgCareers

• Taylor Sublette 
• January 26, 2026
• Newsletter Article

Discover how Sarah Schalm transformed her passion for agriculture into a meaningful career with the help of AgCareers. From early inspiration in FFA to landing a leadership role at Wilbur Ellis, her journey shows how flexibility, networking, and ag focused job platforms can open doors for professionals at any stage.

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Finding the right role in agriculture isn’t always a straight path—and Sarah Schalm’s career journey is proof that sometimes the best opportunities come from staying flexible, trusting your passion, and using the right tools along the way. 

 

Sarah is currently a Senior Training Specialist at Wilbur-Ellis, one of AgCareers’ valued employer partners. But before stepping into a leadership role focused on developing sales teams, managers, and interns, her path took a few meaningful turns. 

 

A Foundation in Agriculture 

 

Sarah graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in December 2016 with a degree in Agricultural Education. Like many students drawn to agriculture, her passion began earlier—through FFA. 

 

“FFA is really what inspired me,” Sarah shared. “My ag educators changed my life, and that’s what initially made me want to become a teacher.” 

 

While in college, Sarah realized that traditional classroom teaching wasn’t the right fit—but her desire to educate never went away. Instead, she began exploring how she could teach and develop adults within the agriculture industry. 

 

Pivoting Into Industry 

 

After graduation, Sarah joined DuPont Pioneer, working in a sales support role on the customer service and operations side of the business. Over time, she transitioned into a training-focused position, blending her love of education with real-world agricultural experience. 

 

After several years, a company restructuring led to a layoff—an experience many professionals face, but one that can feel especially challenging in a specialized industry like agriculture. 

 

That’s when AgCareers entered the picture. 

 

Discovering Opportunities Through AgCareers 

 

Sarah first learned about AgCareers through a recommendation from her manager. 

 

“They told me, ‘When you start looking for your next role, this is a place you should go—it’s ag-specific,’” she explained. “I wanted to stay in agriculture but still be open to different types of roles.” 

 

What stood out most was focus. 

 

“AgCareers cuts down so much of the noise,” Sarah said. “It didn’t feel like LinkedIn, where you’re just throwing darts and competing with everyone. It felt more targeted—like, ‘This is ag, I am ag, and this makes sense.’” 

 

She found the platform easy to use and appreciated how quickly she could understand roles and companies—especially in an industry where relationships and reputation matter. 

 

Connecting With Wilbur-Ellis 

 

When Sarah came across a role with Wilbur-Ellis on AgCareers, recognition played a key role. 

 

“I knew the brand,” she said. “Seeing Wilbur-Ellis on AgCareers immediately caught my attention.” 

 

Because the company and opportunity were familiar, Sarah felt confident reaching out to her network—which led to connections with individuals involved in the hiring process. That combination of industry familiarity, targeted job listings, and trusted relationships helped turn an application into a career opportunity. 

 

Today, Sarah leads sales training, manager development, internship programs, and partners with subject matter experts on process improvement initiatives at Wilbur-Ellis. 

 

Coming Full Circle 

 

Now on the employer side, Sarah sees AgCareers from a new perspective—and values its role in connecting passionate talent with agriculture-focused organizations. 

 

“Ag is different—in a good way,” she said. “It’s a unique industry, and when we use AgCareers, we know we’re reaching people who are passionate about agriculture and understand the seasonality, the challenges, and the dynamics that make this industry what it is.” 

 

She added that she regularly recommends AgCareers to new graduates and professionals navigating job transitions. 

 

“It takes away the filter and the noise,” Sarah said. “You’re looking at opportunities through an ag lens—and that matters.” 

 

Advice for Those Starting Out in Agriculture 

 

Sarah’s biggest piece of advice for early-career professionals? 

 

Be flexible. 

 

“Jobs in agriculture often turn into so much more than what’s written in the posting,” she explained. “When you’re flexible, you open yourself up to more learning, more development, and more opportunity.” 

 

And above all, it’s the people that keep her passionate about the industry. 

 

“To this day, the best part of agriculture is the people,” Sarah said. “There’s truly no other industry like it.” 

 

Sarah’s story is a reminder that careers in agriculture don’t follow just one path—and that the right opportunity can make all the difference. Whether you’re a new graduate, exploring a career pivot, or looking to take the next step in your ag journey, AgCareers connects passionate professionals with employers who understand the industry.  

 

Ready to find your fit? Explore open roles and discover your next opportunity on AgCareers.