By Paiton McDonald, 2024-2027 FFAR Fellow
at Michigan State University
The realization arrived slowly, then all at once. I was the project lead for a 200‑calf trial, responsible for daily measurements that shifted according to each calf’s birthday over 15 months. At first, the solution seemed simple: hire help, stay organized and keep moving. But when a second trial involving adult cows launched at the same time, the workload multiplied overnight. I brought on more students, conducted interview after interview and assembled what felt like a small village of support. Yet even with all hands on deck, it became clear that the system I had built was no longer serving the team—or the science. Something needed to change before the projects slipped beyond control.
In that moment, the lessons I had gained as a FFAR Fellow became unexpectedly essential. Trainings on mentoring, teamwork and recognizing individual strengths shifted from abstract concepts to practical tools. I began to see the students not just as additional help, but as individuals whose abilities could be aligned with the specific demands of each trial. That shift in perspective marked the beginning of a more intentional, sustainable approach to managing the work.
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