Numerous Career Choices To Be Had In Agriculture
The most obvious careers are directly related to the farm or ranch. But did you know that only 10 percent of Americans are involved in traditional farming? If that is the case, then what other careers comprise the agricultural field? There are approximately 22 million people who work in agriculture related fields. Unlike agriculture of our grandparents' day, today's agriculture offers over 200 rewarding and challenging careers.
Career Categories
Agricultural careers may be divided into various categories. These include: Agribusiness Management, Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, Building Construction Management, Agriscience, Resource Development and Management, Parks, Recreations, and Tourism Resources, Packaging, Horticulture, Forestry, Food Science and Fisheries/Wildlife.
Growth Job Market
Today, there are 3.75 million Americans employed full- and part-time in agriculture, including forestry, fishing and other activities. In comparison, the tech sector supports 4.3 million jobs. If one were to look at food-related industries, the numbers jump way up. In fact, one in 12 American jobs is dependent on agriculture.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes an increasing number of small-scale farmers who have developed successful market niches that involve personalized, direct contact with consumers. The BLS also finds that completing a degree at a college of agriculture is becoming important for men and women who want to farm or work in a supporting role. What’s most encouraging are prospects for good jobs in all of agriculture, from large, highly-capitalized operations to small farms that supply farmer’s markets and local restaurants. This is confirmed in an Agriculture Department report that says college graduates will find good employment opportunities over the next five years in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources or the environment. In the coming years, USDA expects to see almost 58,000 average job openings per year for graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher in those areas.
The strongest job market is expected for plant scientists, food scientists, sustainable biomaterials specialists, water resources scientists and engineers, precision agriculture specialists, and farm-animal veterinarians. A strong market is expected for e-commerce managers and marketing agents, ecosystem managers, ag-science educators, crop advisors and pest control specialists.
Agribusiness Management
focuses on the managerial functions performed by organizations throughout the food system. Sample job titles: commodity trader, agricultural production specialist, purchasing manager, financial manager, farm owner and manager and wholesale/retail buyer manufacturing manager.
Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications focuses on careers in journalism, public relations, and advertising/ marketing. Sample job titles: marketing communications manager, district sales representatives, advertising manager, reporter, editor and account manager.
Building Construction Management focuses on land development and structural buildings. Sample job titles: project manager, estimator, construction scheduler, controller, purchasing agent, site manager, field engineer, land de- veloper and real estate appraiser.
Agriscience provides a foundation for careers in agricultural and natural resources industries. Sample job titles: agriscience educator, extension educator, farmer and human resource director.
Resource Development and Management focuses on policy analysis, planning, evaluation, budgeting, and program management. Sample job titles: environmental analyst, environmental planner, solid waste coordinator, water resource specialist and economic development specialist.
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Resources focuses on planning and managing programs, areas, and facilities that are designed to meet people’s leisure needs and enhance quality of life. Sample job titles: park ranger, interpreter/ naturalist, environmental educator, travel and convention planner, youth program director, camp counselor, park and recreation director and tourism consultant.
Packaging focusing on food packaging, health care and pharmaceutical packaging, and industrial packaging. Sample job titles: packaging engineer, quality control coordinator, laboratory manager and package designer.
Horticulture focuses on the science and art concerned with culture, marketing, and utilization of high value, intensively cultivated fruits, flowers, vegetables and ornamental plants. Sample job titles: retail manager, landscape designer, entrepreneur, florist, contractor, nursery grower and nursery stock buyer.
Forestry focuses on the science and art of managing natural resources that occur on forest lands. Sample job titles: forester, forest ranger, consulting forester, district ranger, arborist, naturalist, timber buyer and forest nursery manager.
Food Science focuses on the development of new foods, investigation of new production and processing methods, and researches ways to insure a safe, nutritious and economical food supply. Sample job titles: food technician, laboratory technician, food chemist and quality control manager.
Fisheries and Wildlife focuses on environmental management, conservation, and wildlife ecology and management. Sample job titles: land management specialist, water quality specialist, habitat specialist and fish hatchery manager.
