Your Career in Agriculture Lesson 3.2 Your Career in Agriculture

Lesson Outcomes Identify career opportunities in the field of agriculture, food, and natural resources Examine the characteristics employers find desirable in employees Describe the skills required for employment in agriculture Accurately describe the steps to obtaining employment sezer66/Shutterstock.com

Agriculture Career Pathways Agribusiness Agriscience Agricultural Communications Agricultural Processing Agricultural Support Systems Agricultural Systems Natural Resources Management Production Agriculture Council for Agricultural Education

Scope of Agriculture Amount of land agriculture uses Economic impact of agricultural industries Number of people employed in agriculture Looking at all three aspects of agriculture gives an overview of just how big agriculture really is. Smileus/Shutterstock.com

Agribusiness Managing the profitability of agricultural products and companies Examples: accountant, agribusiness manager, agritourism manager, banker, chemical dealer or sales representative, commodity trader, economist Farm appraiser, farm labor contractor, farm manager, financer, grain and livestock buyer, grain merchandising, information systems analyst International marketing, lawyer, leasing consultant, loan officer, market analyst, marketing head, policy analyst, political advocacy Quality controller, ranch manager, resource economist, tax consultant Budimir Jevtic/Shutterstock.com

Agriscience Examining the core science behind the things that happen in agriculture on a daily basis Examples: agricultural educator, agronomist, animal or plant pathologist, biochemist, botanist, ecologist, extension education director Field biologist, food scientist, geneticist, marine biologist, meteorologist, microbiologist, molecular biologist, nutritionist, physiologist Soil scientist, toxicologist, turf scientist, wildlife biologist, zoologist kurhan/Shutterstock.com

Agricultural Communications Informing consumers and industry professionals about topics related to agriculture Examples include: agribusiness manager, agricultural educator, agricultural journalist, agricultural literacy coordinator Agricultural marketing, agricultural photographer, broadcast journalist, consumer counselor, cooperative extension agent County extension agent, farm broadcaster, freelance writer, marketing representative, political lobbyist, public relations manager Public relations representative, scientific illustrator, technical writer, training management DmitriMarula/Shutterstock.com

Agricultural Processing Transforming raw goods to consumer-ready products Examples include: crop and plant graders, dairy plant supervisor, federal grain inspector, food inspector Food processing plant operator, food regulatory consultant, food safety and quality technician, food science technician Grain mill operator, machine operator, meat processing worker, milk processing plant supervisor, product development technician Production supervisor, quality control manager, sawmill operator, weights and measurements official Avatar_023/Shutterstock.com

Agricultural Support Services Providing the logistical, technological, and maintenance needs of the agricultural industry Careers in agricultural support services include: agricultural aviator, agricultural mechanics repair technician, animal behaviorist Animal nutritionist, computer support, crop consultant, crop insurance salesman, distribution center manager, electrician, equipment salesman, fertilizer salesman Firefighter or specialist, groundskeeper, pharmacologist, plant pathologist, risk management analyst, soil analyst, transportation dispatcher Tree surgeon, veterinarian, veterinary assistant, waste management specialist Goodluz/Shutterstock.com

Agricultural Systems Designing, manufacturing, and maintaining the mechanical equipment and structures that agriculturists need Careers in agricultural systems include: agricultural electrician, agricultural engineer, diesel mechanic, equipment fabricators Equipment operator, hydraulic engineer, irrigation engineer, irrigation system designer, land-leveling technician Machine engineer, power system mechanic, precision farming technician, welder, welding/metal fabricator Anton Gvozdikov/Shutterstock.com

Natural Resources Management Conservation and use of cultivated and uncultivated lands Careers in natural resources management include: cartographer, conservationist, environmental analyst, environmental lawyer Environmental scientist, fish and game warden, fisheries biologist, forester, logger, miner, outdoor recreation manager Park ranger, rangeland scientist, range manager, soil conservationist, soil scientist, water quality specialist, wildland firefighter Wildlife biologist Heath Johnson/Shutterstock.com

Production Agriculture The management and production of agricultural commodities for sale to the consumer Careers in production agriculture include: apiculturist (beekeeper), aquacultural producer, arboriculturist, Christmas tree producer, crop producer, dairy producer, fruit, nut, and/or vegetable producer, game animal producer, livestock producer, nursery products grower, swine producer, viticulturalist Tyler Olson/Shutterstock.com

Selecting a Career Consider your likes and dislikes Talents Knowing and understanding your talents will be useful when laying out your career path. Hasloo Group Production Studio/Shutterstock.com

Selecting a Career Job description On-site experience Knowing what is included is a key factor in knowing whether it is a career you want to pursue On-site experience Vary from job shadowing, to unpaid internships, to full-time paid employment

Preparing to Be an Employee Important Skills Active listening Computer use Critical thinking Decision making Evaluation Marketing Mathematics Operational analysis Problem solving

Initial Contact Making contact with the employer Conducting research First impression Initial contact is the first step in getting a job. Research should cover the position, the company, and its hiring policies. Your initial contact will create a memorable first impression that will last throughout the interviewing/hiring process. Ask students to identify actions that would make a poor first impression. Odua Images/Shutterstock.com

Applying for the Job Online or paper application forms Application should be complete, consistent with résumé, and exhibit good written communication skills Your résumé is a brief overview of your education, qualifications and skills Job applications are formal requests for employment, and are generally filled out at the initial contact or directly prior to the interview. Ask students why their applications should be consistent with their résumés. Information to have on hand includes: Social Security number (SSN); personal contact information; emergency contact information; names; addresses; and phone numbers of current and past employers; names; titles; and contact information for people who have agreed to act as personal or professional references; names; addresses; and dates of attendance for schools you have attended or are attending. What information should you have on hand when filling out applications?

Cover Letter A cover letter is a document sent with your résumé to express your interest in the position and emphasize your qualifications Why should this document be professional and well-written? A cover letter introduces you to the potential employer and expresses your interest.

The Interview Dress appropriately Use open and confidant body language Answer questions completely and honestly Share relevant experiences The interview is where most of the hiring decisions are made. Dress one step above the clothing required for the position. First impressions matter; greet the interviewer with a smile and a solid handshake. Giving examples of relevant experiences will help communicate who you are and how your experiences have helped prepare you for the job. Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock.com

Follow-Up Express appreciation for the interview Recap your qualifications and interest Make yourself memorable A follow-up letter shows the potential employer how serious you are about the job, shows gratitude for their time, and leaves one last impression in the minds of the interviewers. Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com