Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Area:
Education
Sub-Area:
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
- Student Affairs Including:
- Admissions and Recruitment
- Career Services
- Academic Advising
- Student Activities/Organizations
Employers:
- Secondary schools
- Colleges and universities
- Vocational and technical schools
Strategies & Information:
- Obtain teacher certification for public school positions.
- Plan to earn a master's degree to work in college student affairs or university administration. Earn a Ph.D. to teach at the university level.
- Develop excellent writing and speaking skills.
- Learn to work well with all types of people and build strong interpersonal skills.
- Seek leadership positions in campus organizations related to agricultural science, natural resources, or agricultural education such as Future Farmers of America (FFA).
- Gain practical experience in the area of agriculture.
- Work with youth through volunteer positions or summer jobs with camps, 4-H programs, scouts, YMCA's, YWCA's, and other nonprofit organizations.
Area:
Extension
Sub-Area:
- Agricultural Extension
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- 4-H and Youth Development Education
- Economic and Community Development
Employers:
- Cooperative Extension System (national)
- Extension services within states
Strategies & Information:
- Gain experience working with children and adults of varying ages.
- Participate in organizations such as 4-H or FFA and seek leadership roles.
- Develop strong communication skills, particularly public speaking and group presenting, because extension agents must effectively deliver information to people.
- Take courses in economics and community development.
- Demonstrate high energy and good problem solving abilities.
- Be willing to live in rural communities and to travel within the county. Prepare to work some evenings and weekends.
- Earn a master's degree to qualify for higher level positions.
Area:
Agricultural Leadership
Sub-Area:
- Sales
- Management
- Human Resources
- Organizational Training
- Management Consulting
- Policy Development
- Governmental Relations
- Community Development
- Informal Education
Employers:
- Agribusiness firms
- Production industries
- Food retailers and wholesalers
- Food processors
- Farm equipment manufacturers
- Trade and breed associations
- Insurance firms
- Financial institutions
- Market analysis firms
- Consulting firms
- Local, state and federal government including:
- Forestry Service
- Department of Agriculture
- National and state parks and reserves
- Nonprofit organizations
- Professional associations
- Youth organizations
- Foundations, museums, nature centers, zoos
Strategies & Information:
- Choose an area of interest, e.g. business, government, or community development, and gain relevant experience through internships, volunteer positions, or summer jobs.
- Get involved in campus organizations and student professional associations such as Alpha Zeta agricultural honor society. Assume leadership roles.
- Learn to work effectively in teams, but also develop strong leadership qualities.
- Become a strong communicator and learn to relate well with people from all backgrounds.
- Develop physical stamina, resourcefulness, and outdoor skills for some informal education positions.
Area:
Agricultural Science/Communication
Sub-Area:
- Agricultural Communication:
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Electronic Media
- Technical/Scientific Writing
- Advertising Sales
- Photography
- Agricultural Planning and Assessment
- Agricultural Promotion and Consulting
Employers:
- Local, state and federal government including:
- Forestry Service
- Department of Agriculture
- National and state parks and reserves
- Professional associations
- Agribusiness firms
- Financial institutions
- Youth organizations
- Foundations, museums, nature centers, zoos
- Nonprofit organizations
- Wildlife organizations
- Agricultural magazines and websites
- Newspapers and other publications
- Farm radio and television stations
- Advertising and public relations firms
- Consulting firms
Strategies & Information:
- Earn a minor or take additional courses in areas such as journalism, advertising, or graphic design.
- Build strong communication skills, both written and oral.
- Work for campus or local newspapers, radio, or television stations.
- Participate in related student organizations and seek leadership positions. Volunteer to write newsletters or maintain the website.
- Get involved with the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.
- Gain relevant experience through internships, summer jobs, or volunteer positions.
- Learn to work well with various computer programs including desktop publishing and web design.
- Be willing to relocate for greater opportunities.
General Information and Strategies
- Agricultural and Natural Resource Leadership, Education, and Communications provides a broad background for working in the agricultural and natural resources industry.
- For entry-level positions, a bachelor's degree is sufficient. A master's or doctoral degree is often necessary for advancement. Some federal and private agency work, consulting positions, and research positions require a graduate degree.
- Teacher certification is required for public school teaching and exact requirements vary by state.
- Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in field of study.
- Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Join a student club or student professional association to network and cultivate related academic interests. Groups related to agriculture include: Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, Alpha Zeta, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS).
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow professionals who have jobs that interest you.