Whether you're judging meat, livestock, horses, or dairy cattle joining a collegiate judging team is the change of lifetime. Here are 11 reasons to join a collegiate judging team.

1. You meet your best friends.

At the start of this journey I never expected to become so close with this group of people. Now I couldnt imagine it any other way.

2. You get to travel the country.

You would be shocked to learn how many miles we traveled in that van. From practice to contests and everything in between this team has taken me everyone from New York, South Dakota, Texas, and everywhere in between.

3. Learn about a new industry.

While judging you not only learn a new skill, you learn the ends and outs of an industry.

4. Develop professional skills.

While many people do not realize it, being on a judging team gives you a lot of valuable skills such as decision making, how to become an effective communicator, and how to stay disciplined.

5. Meet industry leaders.

Networking is a big takeaway from judging. You get to meet with not only industry professionals from the top companies in the world, you also get to meet other young adults interested in the same field.

6. Learn to believe in yourself and others.

This is one thing my meat judging team always did well. No matter what you have to believe in two things, first yourself, and second your teammates. That is how you win contests.

7. You learn how to win and lose.

This was something I learned very well. Everyone has good days and bad days and no matter what you must keep your head held high.

8. You learn a lot about yourself.

Looking back at myself at the beginning of the year, I have changed quite a bit. You learn to trust yourself and your insticts and learn how to back the decisions you make.

9. You make lifelong memories.

This year is one that I will cherish forever. My team was very successful and we are thankful for that but looking back it isn't the trophies that I will remember it is all the memories we made along the way.

10. You learn how to be a follower.

When being a part of any kind of competitive team you learn that the spotlight will not always be on you. You must be willing to be a follower at certain times to further the entire team and not just yourself.

11. All of the hard work is worth it.

I would not trade all of the hours spent in a packing plant or going over reasons for the world. In the end the hard work pays off in the person you have become.