Farm Range Production and Management

• Beef and dairy cattle
• Swine
• Poultry
• Sheep
• Horses

• Production
• Development
• Quality control
• Distribution/Marketing

• 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

Information & 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 of 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, farm and feedlot equipment
• 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 such as National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Information & 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

Information & 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 communication 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

• 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

Information & 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

Information & 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

Information & 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.