California State University, Fullerton

What can I do with this degree?
ANIMAL SCIENCE

AREAS

FARM RANGE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
  • Livestock Production: Beef and Dairy Cattle, Swine, Poultry, Sheep, Horses
  • Livestock Feed: Production, Development, Quality Control, Distribution/Marketing
  • Meat and Dairy Foods: Production, Development, Quality Control, Distribution/Marketing
EMPLOYERS
  • Farm and ranch operations
  • Feed companies and operations
  • Meat and dairy processors
  • Processing plants
  • Inspection services
  • Extension services
  • Government agencies including:

    •  -U.S. Department of Agriculture
     -Food and Drug Administration
STRATEGIES
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals
  • Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs or part-time work.
  • Minor in business if interested in management or self-employment.
  • Participate in related clubs and competition teams.
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work.
AGRIBUSINESS
  • Sales
     -Livestock
     -Feed
     -Pharmaceuticals
     -Agriculture Chemicals
     -Livestock Supplies
     -Equipment: Farm and Feedlot
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Customer Service
EMPLOYERS
  • Agribusinesses: livestock and feed
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Equipment and supply companies
  • Food and meat processing companies
  • Animal health firms
  • Breed organizations
  • Food distributors
  • Financial institutions
  • Livestock publications
  • Professional associations, e.g. National Cattlemen's Beef Association
STRATEGIES
  • Obtain relevant experience through internships
  • Earn a minor in business
  • Must be highly motivated and well organized
  • Proven leadership abilities are desirable. Join related student organizations and seek leadership roles
  • Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction
  • Practice excellent communication skills, written and oral. Develop computer skills especially with spreadsheet, presentation and database software. Learn to work well both on a team and individually
  • Join related clubs and become active with competition teams
EDUCATION
  • Teaching
  • Non-classroom Education
  • Extension
EMPLOYERS
  • Schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary)
  • Extension services
  • Agricultural agencies
  • Agricultural communications and media firms
  • Agribusinesses
  • Government agencies
STRATEGIES
  • Obtain teacher certification for elementary and secondary school positions
  • Secure masters or doctoral degree for post-secondary teaching or other advanced positions.
  • Exercise strong interpersonal skills.
  • Practice excellent written and verbal communications skills.
  • Gain related experience through volunteer positions, summer jobs, or internships
  • Learn to work well with all types of people. Seek leadership roles in student organizations
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work. Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension positions.
VETERINARY MEDICINE

Areas of Specialization

  • Small Animal Care
  • Large Animal Care
  • Food Safety
  • Preventative Medicine
  • Surgery
  •  -Public Health
  • Laboratory Animal Medicine
  • Research
  • Inspection
EMPLOYERS
  • Group or private practice
  • Federal government including:

    •  -Department of Agriculture
     -Department of Health and Human Services
  • State and local government
  • Colleges of veterinarian medicine
  • Medical schools
  • Research laboratories
  • Animal food companies
  • Inspection services
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Zoos
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
STRATEGIES
  • Research veterinary programs, take pre-vet courses to meet veterinary school requirements, and prepare for application process
  • Maintain an excellent grade point average. Gain experience through volunteer positions, part-time jobs, or summer work
  • Consider working as a Veterinary Technician. Secure strong recommendations from professors
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals
  • Exercise close attention to detail. Practice strong interpersonal skills
  • Gain extensive laboratory and research experience for research positions
  • Obtain internships at zoos or other wildlife sanctuaries
  • Become active in pre-vet and other related clubs.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
  • Research
  • Product and Process Development
  • Genetics and Animal Breeding
  • Animal Nutrition/Health/Disease Control
  • Animal Behavior,Training and Caretaking
EMPLOYERS
  • Government and corporate laboratories
  • Colleges and universities
  • Livestock producers
  • Zoos
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
STRATEGIES
  • Advanced degrees are often required in these positions
  • Earn post-graduate certification through the Animal Certification Technician Board
  • Gain extensive laboratory and research experience by working in faculty laboratories through special problems courses, as a student employee, or through other departmental programs
  • Supplement curriculum with additional science courses in relevant areas (e.g. genetics, animal behavior, microbiology) Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work
  • Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time work.
QUALITY CONTROL
  • Livestock Feed Inspection
  • Harvest Operation Inspection
  • Meat and Dairy Inspection
EMPLOYERS
  • Government Agencies including:

    •  -Food and Drug Administration
     -U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Inspection services
  • Farm and ranch operations
STRATEGIES
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work. Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs, or part-time work
  • Join student organizations and seek leadership roles
  • Participate in competition teams
  • Practice strong interpersonal skills
  • Exercise close attention to detail.

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