Career Guide US 2019

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why you should tell your non-ag friends ABOUT AG
35 Ag & Food CAreer guide
by Kristine Penning, Creative Marketing Specialist
IF YOU’RE MAJORING in agriculture,
thank you! You recognize the
importance our industry plays in food
security, sustainable energy, and
environmental quality around the world.
I mentioned “Agvocating” to
someone outside the industry, and they
asked, “Is that even a word?” Well, it’s
not officially in the dictionary, but we’re
working on that!
You may wonder why you should give
away the secret of this vital industry?
Why should you tell your non-ag friends
about our important industry? After all,
you don’t want more competition vying
for your dream job!
It’s a job seekers’ market, and there
is a real labor shortage in the ag and
food industry. We need people with
agriculture degrees and farm experience,
but we also need diverse experiences
and education. Various educational
backgrounds are already experiencing
success in our industry. When we look at
applicants on , 37% did
not have an ag degree and 32% were not
working in agriculture.
In the USDA report on Employment
Opportunities for College Graduates
in Food, Agriculture, Renewable
Natural Resources, and the Environment
2015-2020, it’s estimated there are only
enough U.S. graduates in these fields to
fill 61% of the jobs.
A quick search of
reveals the variety of positions available:
Project Engineer, Research Chemist,
Accountant, Public Relations Director,
Software Developer, Logistics
Coordinator, IT Administrator, and
Digital Marketing Manager.
Employers may need to look beyond
the college of agriculture to fill nearly
40% of openings. It’s clear there is plenty
of room to share the story about the
breadth of careers available in agriculture
and food with friends across campus,
and in other colleges.
So, tell your friends, share facts (not
hype) on social media, and let’s Feed the
World with Talent! AG
by Bonnie Johnson, Marketing Associate
QUICK READS
5 QUICK TIPS TO BUILD A GOOD REPUTATION AT WORK
WHEN YOU
FIRST START a
new job or are just
beginning your career, if you’re
anything like me, you’ll want people to
like you and respect you right off the
bat. The key to earning a good reputation
quickly lies in working hard and
remaining humble. Here are my top
five recommendations to build a solid
reputation at work quickly.
Do something without being asked.
Take initiative and do something for
someone else, or work ahead on a project
or task that’s upcoming. Putting in the
work and the time, perhaps even ahead of
time, to get something done not even (yet)
assigned to you will impress quickly.
Try figuring it out on your own. While
you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions
(because you are learning and questions
should be welcome), it’s also important
to try fending for yourself early on. If
you encounter a problem or find yourself
unsure in a situation at work, try using
your available resources to solve it on
your own. This, just like doing something
without being prompted or asked to, also
shows initiative and independence.
Practice patience, humility &
kindness. These three are some of the
most important traits you could ever
possess. Everyone wants to work with
someone who is kind, humble, and
patient. Display these qualities by
listening well, respecting others, taking
ownership and apologizing for mistakes,
giving credit to others when due, smiling,
and saying thank you.
Be an asset. With humility in mind,
also don’t be afraid to offer your opinion,
ideas, or suggestions in places where
welcome and where it could help or
improve something. Show your
coworkers and manager that you are a
good hire and a valuable team member.
Welcome challenges and new
experiences. You prove accountability
when you are willing to take on or try
something new. This is especially true if
this task or experience is something new
to your organization/business, or if it is
a difficult or menial job. Growth occurs
outside of your comfort zone.
Professional growth increases your value
as an employee. AG