Amid preparing for your 4-H project achievement, it’s easy to reflect on the hard skills you learned through your recent experience; maybe you learned how to clip a calf, cook a new recipe or master a technique in needlepoint. However, it often isn’t until your final years of 4-H or beyond that you realize the true impact of the 4-H and the skills you will take with you no matter your path.
For senior 4-H’er, Josie McNab, she shares that she wouldn’t be where she is if it wasn’t for 4-H. In 2024, Josie finished her final year of 4-H in the Grey 4-H Association. Over the course of her ten-year tenure, Josie completed numerous projects, including dairy, sheep, community involvement, rabbit, judging, fitting and more. Josie also served as a youth leader and took on additional responsibilities in her association such as organizing their presence at community events and their show displays at competitions.
She spoke fondly of her memories at the annual EastGen competition, where their association would close out the day by line dancing in the barn. Josie notes the positive experience of showing her calf but that she will always cherish the memories made alongside her club.
“When I started 4-H, I was one of the most quiet people. I never voiced my opinion [despite] having lots of opinions and I always kept them to myself,” says Josie. She shares that 4-H has provided her with so many opportunities to use her ideas and be a leader. “[I have had] so many opportunities to speak out and be comfortable and confident in myself; I have received so many opportunities because of this skill.”
Josie is completing her degree at Dalhousie University, where she is working towards a major in neuroscience and a minor in microbiology. In the fall of 2024, she was selected to complete a semester abroad at Cardiff University in Wales. During her time there, she had the opportunity to take several specialized neuroscience courses and work with research patients, as well as tour and interview researchers who work at CUBRIC, a world-leading brain research centre.
“The school is amazing and has some of the most caring professors that I have met. I find that sometimes it’s harder to build relationships with your professors because of the large classes but here they really take the time to get to know you,” shares Josie. “The program and all of the neuroscience courses are very cool and I have loved learning new things. I learned how to analyze fMRI data on a computer program, [toured] the CUBRIC brain institute and talked to different researchers about their development in neuroscience.”
Josie’s love for science began in high school when she took her first chemistry and biology courses, though she wasn’t sure about healthcare at the time. It wasn’t until she was in Grade 11 and suffered a head injury that she was exposed to so many professionals in the neuroscience industry and realized she wanted to pursue a career in that field.
Her long-term goal is to pursue neuroscience research related to traumatic brain injuries and the effects it has on the brain. “I was one of the lucky people but there are people who are not so lucky, and I want to help them as much as I can,” says Josie.
Following graduation from her undergraduate program, Josie plans to apply to medical school. Despite the demands of post-secondary education, Josie plans to continue volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, Best Buddies and the local hospice in Halifax. She also hopes to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.
When asked about her advice to other youth who are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field, Josie noted the importance of leveraging resources within your community. “I have learned so much from the teachers in my high school and talking to them about their experiences and people they know,” says Josie. She also shared that large organizations, which you might not initially think you could be involved with, are often looking for volunteers. Volunteering with them can be a great way to explore your interests and gain valuable experience.
“We first met Josie McNab in 2014 when her brother Noah was in our dairy club. Josie was a quiet, engaging young person and we were excited to welcome Josie and her sister Grace into the dairy club the next year. Over the next 10 years we have watched Josie blossom into a confident and engaging leader, not only in our club but in all aspects of her life,” says Shelley Barfoot-O’Neill, Josie’s 4-H Club Leader. “She takes a leading role in the various activities in 4-H and makes those around her feel like a valued participant. 4-H has made a huge impact on Josie’s life. She is an absolute joy to work with and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for her. Whatever it is we know she will be involved in 4-H. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments.”
4-H Ontario offers numerous STEM related 4-H projects that youth can participate in. Visit the 4-H Ontario website to find out more about these projects and don’t be afraid to ask your 4-H leader to consider leading one in your area!