2. Your Career in Agriculture
Lesson 3.2
Your Career in Agriculture

3. 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
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4. Agriculture Career Pathways
Agribusiness
Agriscience
Agricultural Communications
Agricultural Processing
Agricultural Support Systems
Agricultural Systems
Natural Resources Management
Production Agriculture
Council for Agricultural Education

5. 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.
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. Selecting a Career Consider your likes and dislikes Talents
Knowing and understanding your talents will be useful when laying out your career path.
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15. 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

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

17. 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.
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18. 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?

19. 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.

20. 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.
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21. 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.
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