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Ag Careers Sample Lesson
CR102 Narrowing Down Your Career Search
MAIN IDEA: How can I decide among the wide range of ag career choices? There are many different kinds of careers in agriculture; so many that trying to select the one that will be best for you can become confusing. One way to start narrowing down your search is to break it down into two parts: 1. By topics or fields of study you find most interesting. Examples include:
2. By the kinds of work or activities you enjoy the most. There is a very wide variety of things you could do or be. A few examples include:
For some types of work it is helpful to have a wide range of interests. A teacher or journalist, for example, may need to work with a wide variety of topics. Meanwhile, a scientist or technician may be able to specialize in a narrow field, such as biotechnology or plant genetics. In most cases, it is best to keep your options open to a wide range of choices while you are in high school, especially if you are uncertain of what you might like to do. Then if you decide to go on to college you can narrow it down to a field of study you have found the most interesting. CHOOSING YOUR FIELD OF STUDY Here are some examples of how the field of study you choose can lead to the type of work you may like to do. Animal science: Recent advances in biotechnology have brought significant changes to today's animal agriculture and its growing importance in American society. As new career opportunities emerge, many trained animal scientists will be needed to assume these challenging roles. Employment opportunities extend from livestock breeding and marketing organizations to farms and allied industries. Animal science graduates may become producers, herdsmen or livestock farm managers. Others find work at allied industries such as feed companies, equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, meat processors and food distributors. In addition, there are opportunities with food processors and meat packers as well as educational and governmental agencies. Animal science also extends beyond farm animals raised for food to employment at zoos, kennels, animal clinics, horse farms and animal preserves. Crop science: Employment opportunities range from farms and crop consulting firms to agricultural chemical, fertilizer and food-processing companies. Agronomists may become seed dealers, fertilizer blenders and distributors, custom spray operators, farm planners, or farm-management professionals. One recent development is the use of crops to produce ethanol. Organic farming is also providing tremendous growth opportunities, with organic acreage doubling between 2002 and 2005 according to the 2008/2009 U.S. Department of Labor Career Guide to Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing. Colleges and universities also employ individuals with advanced training in plant and soil sciences as teachers, researchers, and extension specialists. Plant breeders and geneticists are in high demand for both public and private research, developing new plant varieties and working with seed certification, crop improvement organizations, and various governmental agencies. Food science: This field offers many opportunities in the rapidly growing food processing, wholesaling and retailing industries. In addition, there are employment opportunities at health care facilities, in consumer affairs organizations, government and public health agencies. Food scientists work on developing new food products, creating more effective food safety measures, and help to establish dietary guides for organizations and individuals. Ag economics: Graduates find employment in marketing, finance, agribusiness, accounting, farming, professional farm management and appraisal, public policy analysis, international trade and development, law, teaching, research and private consulting. People with economic skills are needed in nearly every agricultural firm. For example, economists project the market potential of new products, make forecasts of sales and prices, plan business operations, and find ways to control costs. Ag communications: As agriculture becomes more complex, the industry needs people who can write, speak and make presentations. Employment opportunities are found with agriculture-related magazines, newspapers, broadcasting companies, public relations and advertising agencies. In addition, there are opportunities for communicators in many agribusiness companies. These jobs are in advertising and public relations departments. Ag engineering: Trained agricultural engineers help to design safe, efficient buildings and equipment used in farming and related agricultural businesses that are increasingly using machines to do tasks once done by hand. They find employment with farm equipment manufacturers, agricultural builders, food processors, grain companies, farm supply companies, public utilities, building products companies, and governmental agencies. Ag engineers are also finding solutions in the field of renewable energy. Horticulture: Employment opportunities extend into many types of businesses and agencies. These include commercial fruit or vegetable production, crop forecasting, pest control, plant breeding, nursery inspection, field research, food crops marketing and processing, food inspection, quality control, wholesale and retail sales, consumer relations, and public information. Employment is also available in landscape design and contracting, grounds maintenance, turf management, tree pruning and care, in nursery operations and greenhouses, at garden centers, florist shops, mail-order seed and bulb houses, plant wholesalers, horticultural supply, equipment manufacturers, chemical firms, universities and governmental agencies. Forestry: Careers encompass many occupational areas, including the production of forest crops, forest management and operation, timber sales and marketing, forest recreation, wildlife and environmental management, and forestland administration. Graduates in wood-products technology find careers in a wide range of fields. The 2008/2009 U.S. Department of Labor Career Guide to Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing predicted declines in logging due to increased competition from foreign producers and increased mechanization. Forestry jobs were also expected to decline as some landowners used their lands for other purposes. WATCH INDUSTRY TRENDS Too often, the first questions students ask about careers include: "Where are the best opportunities?" or "Where can I get the highest pay?" Every career will have its ups and downs. While the number of openings in some fields may be limited, there will always be room for outstanding students. Production agriculture U.S. farm numbers have been declining since the mid-1940s. That means fewer opportunities for young people to become farm owners, operators or managers. However, those young people who have been able to become an owner, operator or manager have found themselves in an interesting and rewarding career. They are involved in farming businesses that are larger and much more complex than the farms operated by past generations. Local ag businesses: Local ag businesses offer an alternative to farming. Some of them can be highly successful, especially for those who own and operate the business. However, as farms become larger, farm operators often bypass smaller local feed and fertilizer retailers and buy supplies directly from suppliers or wholesalers. Operators of larger farms also may produce enough volume to justify trucking grain to processors or terminal markets, bypassing local elevators. National and international agribusiness: National and international agribusiness firms often offer good employment for students willing to get additional education and leave the local community. These firms also have their economic ups and downs. A downturn in the 1980s set off a dramatic downsizing in the farm equipment business. Brand names such as Oliver and Allis Chalmers are gone. Their dealerships have disappeared. Meanwhile, International Harvester and Case were merged into one and several other companies have joined forces. Of the major equipment companies, only Deere has been able to remain independent, but has also had to change with the times. Other agribusiness industries have also gone through significant adjustment. In the hybrid seed corn industry, for example, major changes have been under way through the 1980s and into the late 1990s. Familiar names such as Pioneer and DeKalb have remained, while others have disappeared. Meanwhile new company names such as Mycogen and Novartis have come on the scene. Even at companies where the name remains familiar, internal organization and ownership may have changed. New technologies: New technologies as well as economic pressures have helped to stimulate a move to new business arrangements and new career opportunity. While some companies have disappeared, new firms have emerged. Often these new firms need to employ additional trained ag professionals and scientists. Seed companies, for example, entered into mergers and alliances in order to improve their ability to conduct biotechnology research. Meanwhile, chemical companies such as Ciba Geigy and Monsanto were moving to get into the seed business and the development of new crop varieties. Similar changes have been taking place in the animal health product industries. There have been consolidations, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. Some examples include a new name, Merial, which resulted from a merger of Merck and Rhone Merieux. The familiar name Pfizer is still around, but the company has grown with the acquisition of SmithKline Beecham. BOTTOM LINE: Your best future career opportunities are likely to be in the field you find most interesting, doing the kind of work you like to do, using the kind of skills you find easy to learn. EXERCISES: Discuss in class and/or write your comments on the following for your teacher. 1. At this point in your life, do you feel you would like to select a career in some aspect of agriculture, or outside of agriculture? Explain why. 2. If you were choosing an agricultural career, what would it be? Explain why.
3. Refer back to the two lists at the beginning of this lesson.
INTERNET RESOURCES:
** Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) - Science Careers
** National FFA Ag Career Explorer
** New York Department of Labor - Career Zone
** New York Department of Labor - Career Zone - Natural and Agricultural Sciences
** Purdue University and USDA - Living Science
** U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the U.S. Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources System
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Agricultural and Food Scientists
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Agricultural Workers
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers
** U.S. Department of Labor - Career Guide to Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
* U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
** University of Kentucky - Careers in Agriculture TEST: 1. A young person who wants a career in farming must be willing to accept fewer rewards and lower future earnings. TRUE or FALSE? 2. Changes in technology have added uncertainty as well as future opportunities for careers in agribusiness and agricultural science. TRUE or FALSE? 3. A young person looking for a career outside of agriculture may find just as many uncertainties as one looking for an agricultural career. TRUE or FALSE? 4. New technologies have set off major adjustments in the _________ and the __________ __________ agribusiness industries. 5. Choosing agriculture as a course of study in college would sharply narrow the types of work one could do after graduation. TRUE or FALSE?
6. In which field would an agronomist look for employment opportunities?
7. In which field would a wood scientist look for employment opportunities?
8. In which field would someone interested in establishing dietary guides look for employment opportunities?
9. In which field would someone interested in livestock breeding look for employment opportunities?
10. In which field would someone interested in landscaping look for employment opportunities?
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TEACHER'S GUIDE
CR102 Narrowing Down Your Career SearchOBJECTIVE: Students will become aware of how economic trends and changes in technology can add opportunities as well as uncertainty to careers in agriculture. In addition, students will be introduced to the wide range of career choices that are closely related to agriculture. PREPARATION: Review lesson content and be ready to answer students' questions about where they can find more information on agricultural careers. These can range from local employers to the dean's office at the college of agriculture at your state university and national organizations. There is much information available from publications you could order and on Internet Web sites. See lists below: SOME CAREER PUBLICATIONS YOU COULD ORDER: ** "Exploring Careers in Agronomy, Crops, Soils and Environmental Sciences" from American Society of Agronomy, Career Development and Placement Service, 677 Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711. ** "Careers in Cereal Chemistry" from the American Association of Cereal Chemists, at their Web site listed below. ** "Careers in Botany," from the Botanical Society of America, 1735 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1293 ** Agricultural engineering career information from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659. ** "The Challenge of Meteorology" from the American Meteorological Society, 45 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108-3693. Multiple copies are $1.00 each. ** "Careers in Plant Pathology" from the American Phytopathological Society at 1-800-328-7560; in Minnesota, (612) 454-7250. ** "Careers in Ecology" from the Ecological Society of America, 2010 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036. ** A brochure about opportunities in food science and technology from the Institute of Food Technologists, 221 North LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60601. ** "A Poultry Career is Waiting for You" from the Poultry Science Association, 1111 North Dunlap Ave., Savoy, IL 61874-9604. ** "Career Pathways in Veterinary Medicine" from the American Veterinary Medical Association, 930 North Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60196. ** "Careers in Range Science and Range Management" from the Society for Range Management, 1839 York Street, Denver, CO 80206. Phone: (303)355-7070. ** "So You Want To Be in Forestry" from the Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198 Phone (301)897-8720 Fax (301)897-3690. This society will also provide a list of forestry schools it has accredited or recognized. INTERNET RESOURCES:
** Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) - Science Careers
** National FFA Ag Career Explorer
** New York Department of Labor - Career Zone
** New York Department of Labor - Career Zone - Natural and Agricultural Sciences
** Purdue University and USDA - Living Science
** U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the U.S. Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources System
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Agricultural and Food Scientists
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Agricultural Workers
** U.S. Dept. of Labor - Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers
** U.S. Department of Labor - Career Guide to Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
* U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
** University of Kentucky - Careers in Agriculture
** University of Kentucky - Careers in Agriculture IMPORTANT TERMS: alliances, agribusiness, biotechnology, careers, consolidation, downsizing, economic trends, mechanization, mergers, technology. EXTENSION: Invite potential employers to your classroom to answer students' questions and talk with them about the various kinds of work required in their business or industry. EXERCISE ANSWERS: 1. Answers will vary, based upon students' personal feelings and reasons. Students should be encouraged to think in terms of what interests them and what they like to do as well as looking at the potential risks and rewards of a career. 2. Answers will vary, based upon students' personal feelings and reasons. Students should be encouraged to do additional research into various careers. Students should find out what training is required, how to get training, what day-to-day work is required, where jobs are available, etc. 3. Students should begin to see the relationship between the knowledge they are gaining and the types of work required in various careers. For example, an interest in economics would be helpful for a commodity analyst, a business manager or a product marketing manager. It also would be helpful for a farmer, as well as an educator or journalist who wants to teach or write about economic topics. An interest in horticulture would be helpful in plant science research as well as in employment with businesses that produce or market fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers and other landscaping plants. An interest in horticulture can also be helpful for some educators, extension agents and journalists. TEST KEY: 1. A young person who wants a career in farming must be willing to accept fewer rewards and lower future earnings. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE. While the number of openings in production agriculture may be limited, those who are able to become a farmer, farm operator or manager will be involved in a larger, more complex business than in past generations. 2. Changes in technology have added uncertainty as well as future opportunities for careers in agribusiness and agricultural science. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE. 3. A young person looking for a career outside of agriculture may find just as many uncertainties as one looking for an agricultural career. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE. 4. New technologies have set off major adjustments in the seed and the animal health agribusiness industries. 5. Choosing agriculture as a course of study in college would sharply narrow the types of work one could do after graduation. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE. Agriculture spans a huge range of activities. A student in agriculture could find work in many fields, including science, engineering, sales, marketing, finance, management, veterinary medicine, education, government and politics, and communications, including journalism, television, radio, advertising and public relations.
6. In which field would an agronomist look for employment opportunities? Correct answer: E. Crop science
7. In which field would a wood scientist look for employment opportunities? Correct answer: G. Forestry
8. In which field would someone interested in establishing dietary guides look for employment opportunities? Correct answer: F. Food science
9. In which field would someone interested in livestock breeding look for employment opportunities? Correct answer: A. Animal science
10. In which field would someone interested in landscaping look for employment opportunities?
Correct answer: H. Horticulture END. To subscribe to AgEdNet.com or
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