What can I do with this degree?
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
AREAS
EDUCATION
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
- Student Affairs
EMPLOYERS
- Secondary schools
- Colleges and universities
- Vocational and technical schools
STRATEGIES
- 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 obtain employment as a professor.
Develop excellent writing and speaking skills.
- Learn to work well with all types
of people. Develop strong interpersonal skills.
- Seek leadership positions in
campus organizations related to agricultural science, natural resources, or
agricultural education.
- Gain practical experience in the area of agriculture.
-
Work with youth through volunteering or summer jobs with camps, 4-H programs,
scouts, YMCA's, and other nonprofit organizations.
EXTENSION
- Agricultural Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Youth Development Education
EMPLOYERS
- Cooperative Extension System (national)
- Extension services within states
STRATEGIES
- Gain experience in working with children and
adults of varying ages.
- Participate as a volunteer or member of organizations
such as 4-H or FFA and seek leadership roles.
- Develop strong communication
skills, particularly public speaking and group presentation skills.
- Take courses
in economics and community development. Develop computer skills.
- Earn a master’s
degree to qualify for more positions.
- Be willing to live in rural communities
and to travel within the county.
- Be prepared to work some evenings and
weekends.
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
- Informal Education
- Sales
- Management
- Agricultural
Communication: Journalism, Public Relations, Electronic Media, Technical
Writing
EMPLOYERS
- Local, state and federal government including:
Forestry Service, USDA, National and state parks and reserves
- Professional associations
- Agribusiness firms
- Financial institutions
- Camps
- Scouting organizations, e.g. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
- Nature centers
- 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
STRATEGIES
- Gain relevant experience through internships,
summer jobs, or volunteer positions.
- Earn a minor or take additional courses in
area of interest such as communication, English, or business.
- Develop strong
communication skills, both written and oral.
- Learn to work well with various
computer programs including desktop publishing.
- Participate in related student organizations and seek leadership positions.
- Work on the student newspaper to
gain experience for agricultural communication positions.
- Develop physical
stamina, resourcefulness, and outdoor skills for some informal education
positions.
- Be willing to relocate.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Agricultural Science 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 especially research positions require a
graduate degree.
- Teacher certification is required for public school teaching and varies by
state.
- Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in field
of study.
- Develop excellent computer skills.
- Join a student club or student professional association to network and
cultivate related academic interests.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow professionals who have jobs that
interest you.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. (2006) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA
/ADEA Employer