interview by Desiree M. Cooper
Communication Services
"Looking back, I had many opportunities that I would not have had at a larger university.”– Terry Cater
Terry Cater, the county executive director at the Lea County United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Lovington, earned his master’s in mass communications from Eastern New Mexico University in 2002.
Mr. Cater, who received a bachelor of science in communication with an emphasis in public relations from ENMU in 2000, grew up in Elida. He attended Eastern because it was “small enough that it didn't cause too much shock coming from a small school.
“I wanted to stay close to home,” he continued. “My family farms and ranches, so I wanted to be close enough that I could go home and help out.
“Money was also a driving factor because I got the best scholarships to attend ENMU,” said the director, who enjoys photography, ceramics, history and road trips. “Looking back, I had many opportunities that I would not have had at a larger university.”
When he discovered a lack of job prospects after finishing his bachelor’s degree and had an advisor encouraging him to try graduate school, Mr. Cater decided to continue his education.
He was told he could continue the teaching assistant work he started in his last undergraduate semester while working on his master’s degree.
“It seemed like the thing to do at the time. I had considered graduate school, but was not certain it was something I wanted to pursue until that opportunity arose,” he said. “Now I'm very glad that I did, as most of the skills that I use in my job were honed on that degree.”
Mr. Cater approached his graduate work from the perspective of doing public relations as a component of management, which has “proved to be very beneficial. My education at ENMU polished my communication skills and taught me how to critically analyze information. Those two skills have been invaluable in my current career.
“My master's degree didn't get me my current job, but it did set my pay grade,” said Mr. Cater, who had difficulty finding a job after finishing his degree.
“Several prospective employers commented that I was over-educated and under-experienced, but didn't want to offer a chance to gain that needed experience. I was fortunate enough to find a job with Farm Service Agency as a temporary employee which grew into my current career.”
His favorite part of working as a director is the variety of customers he interacts with.
“The variety makes time management a challenge, because you never know who is going to walk in the door and what they're going to want,” he said. “But it also keeps it interesting. Some days it also makes you wish things would just slow down a bit.”
He thinks the biggest challenge in his career is dealing with agency policy and personnel.
“Policy is often very grey instead of being black and white. It's also pretty fluid at times,” he explained. “One of my employees quipped one day our policy is written on an Etch-a-Sketch. Fortunately, my agency is using a locally elected committee to smooth out kinks.
“Personnel is always a challenge, even when you have the best people. Keeping everyone motivated and going the right direction is not easy.”
The owner of four dogs jokes that earning his master’s impacts them “every day, because it taught me to speak dog through non-verbal communication and allows me to bring home the bacon. The Barkin' Bacon.”
Mr. Cater makes a difference in his field by serving his customers.
“My knowledge and skills truly are put to use every day as a civil servant, navigating bureaucratic red-tape, convoluted policy and congressional mandates,” he said. “As a government employee, I am very conscious of the fact that I am here to serve the taxpayers.”
Mr. Cater was asked to help train supervisors in his agency to become better leaders in their offices. He is one of 25 trainers who will eventually provide this training to every manager at Farm Service Agency across the United States.
He served on the board of directors for New Mexico Family, Career and Community Leaders of America several years ago and has presented workshops on public relations and desktop publishing.
Mr. Cater is currently serving as the state president of his employee association. He also serves as the legislative chair of the southwest area for the employee association.
“I strive to run an efficient office and provide excellent customer service as a civil servant,” he said. “I do my best to be happy and have a positive influence in the lives of others and take advantage of opportunities to advance my career.”
