Name: Kaela Cooper
FFA Chapter: Templeton FFA
CDEs and LDEs: Livestock Judging, Job Interview
What inspired you to get involved in those specific events?
I had several childhood mentors that I looked up to who were very involved in FFA. I always knew that after my time in 4-H, I would take full advantage of everything FFA had to offer. My mom always pushed me to do more—she spent her whole childhood in 4-H and knew the incredible opportunities FFA could provide.
How did your experiences in CDEs and LDEs help shape your career interests?
Participating in these events really helped spark my interest in the livestock industry and encouraged me to step up as a leader within it. They gave me the confidence to get involved and pursue my passion.
What does your career in animal genetics involve?
I’m currently a Client Service Representative at Trans Ova Genetics in Turlock, CA. Before this role, I worked as a traveling embryologist for Trans Ova, where we specialize in IVF in beef and dairy cattle. In my current role, I communicate daily with beef and dairy clients, helping them schedule their cows for the IVF process. My responsibilities include coordinating shot schedules for donors, arranging the shipment of embryos and semen to various locations, and overseeing all aspects of client communication and planning.
What skills did you develop through these events that you still use in your job today?
I learned a lot about leadership, and at the time, I didn’t realize how valuable those skills would be in my career. The Job Interview contest is something I still talk about today—it helped prepare me for both college and career interviews. I’ve been told many times that I interview well, and I will forever thank the FFA program for helping me develop that skill!
Can you share a specific moment from a competition that challenged you and helped you grow?
Winning and losing are both important experiences. A moment I still remember is running for a regional FFA office twice and not being elected both times. It was difficult to process at the time, and I kept wondering what I did wrong. In the end, not being selected as an officer didn’t impact my future—it only made me a stronger and more resilient person.
Looking back, what was the most valuable lesson you took from your participation?
I will always be grateful for the experiences I had in FFA, both the successes and the challenges. I showed goats and cattle at a competitive level, and one lesson that stuck with me was not winning the show at my county fair. At the time, it felt disappointing, but looking back, I realize that experience taught me humility and strengthened my determination.
