Career Guide US 2019

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open roles available in agriculture is also
growing, so once you find your place, you
can feel optimistic about landing a job.
Each year there is an estimated
57,900 job openings in agriculture with
only an average of 35,400 new graduates
to fill the positions (USDA). That leaves
the industry shorthanded when it comes
to having workers that are skilled in the
areas of agriculture and food sciences.
Like previously discussed,
ensuring that food production continues
to increase is more important than ever
before. This cannot happen without
skilled workers, so your help is certainly
wanted. With an employment rate that
is only expected to grow, choosing to
pursue a career in agriculture takes the
guesswork out of the job hunt. You
will love your job, while benefiting the
world’s leading industry.
Job Security:
If you’re worried about keeping a job
once you find the perfect one, the
agriculture industry can remedy your
fears. With the growing importance of
feeding an ever-demanding population,
there’s generally no reason to worry
about job security. That’s not saying
there won’t be ups and downs. Just like
any other industry, agriculture has had
its share of hardship, but the future is
looking bright. Even during these times,
jobs are still available because
providing a stable food source will
always be necessary.
Work Environment:
Agriculture encompasses a wide variety
of environments to work in. Like
spending time outdoors and working
with plants? An agronomist job or getting
hands-on with all different types of
livestock from fish to cattle might be the
best fit. However, agriculture is present
outside of rural areas. There is still
opportunity for someone who prefers
an office setting and a little extra time
at home, or even a person who likes
exploring and traveling every week.
Finding the right work environment
is just a matter of researching what the
job requirements are for a certain field.
Regardless of where you feel the most
productive, the agriculture industry
has the potential to accommodate your
particular tastes.
Salary:
Monetary compensation often proves
just how important working for the
agriculture industry is. According to
salary data, the average United States
Department of Agriculture pay is
$67,000. This is higher than the national
average which the Social Security
Administration reports as hovering just
above $50,000. Agriculture workers are
valued in their craft. They are laborers
who understand and are working to
solve global problems with food security.
Hard work does not go without notice
in agriculture, and you will likely reap
rewards in addition to good pay.
Ethic:
More goes into job satisfaction than
just wage. While choosing a career, it is
important to understand all the benefits.
One of these benefits that people often
forget about is the meaning a job gives
to your life. The good news? Agriculture
is a morally rich career. Your day-to-day
life will consist of various tasks, all
benefiting the collaborative effort of
feeding the world. Even serving as an
accountant aids the flow of the
agriculture industry. When pursuing a
career in agriculture, you will get the
peace of mind knowing you are making a
difference.
In the 1900’s, a career in agriculture
might have been working in the field.
12 Ag & F ood CAreer guide
But today, advancements in technology
have opened a wide array of careers in
biotechnology, engineering, and
production along with many others.
So, when asking the question “why
ag?”, it’s important to understand what
the industry has to offer. Working with
the 21 million people employed by
agriculture means that you will reap the
benefits of salary and plenty of choices,
as well knowing you are contributing to
global food security. AG
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CAREER PROFILES
The Career Profiles
were created, in conjunction with
FFA’s Ag Explorer, as a resource to
increase learning and understanding
around the great variety of
opportunities in agriculture and food.
Read about job responsibilities,
required education, potential
employers, and more. Explore more
than 250 different careers organized
by pathway.