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Clara Taylor
September 08, 2026
Career Guide ArticleWhen most of us imagine a “successful career,” we picture a straight line—one job leading neatly to the next. But for many professionals in agriculture, the real story looks a lot more like a winding gravel road: full of turns, detours, unexpected opportunities, and the occasional bump.
Austin Todd’s journey is exactly that kind of story—one that proves you can take multiple career paths, shift directions completely, face challenges, and still build a meaningful and rewarding career in agriculture.
Today, Austin is a Territory Manager with SQM, covering a large portion of the central United States. But the path that brought him there shows just how valuable flexibility, curiosity, and persistence can be.
Austin studied agricultural science at Texas A&M before launching his career in research and technical development at Bayer Crop Science.
That experience gave him a front-row seat to how ag innovations move from lab to field—and a foundation he's built on ever since.
Through these experiences, Austin realized his true passion: communicating, educating, and helping others succeed. He discovered he wanted to work in ag sales long-term—an area where his speaking, teaching, and relationship-building skills could shine.
That realization led him to his next career chapter. Austin transitioned into a sales trainee and agronomist role with Wilbur Ellis, where he began supporting growers more directly.
However, like many people in the industry, he faced unexpected challenges when his employer underwent internal changes—ultimately leading to a layoff.
And then, later, another layoff at a different company because of international market shifts.
Life transitions (including becoming a parent) made these changes even more difficult.
Instead of giving up, Austin adapted.
He built a daily routine.
He stayed active in his job search.
He connected with his network.
One resource that proved especially valuable was AgCareers.com, helping him understand what jobs were out there, which companies were hiring, and what people with his skill set were worth.
“AgCareers.com helped me understand my value,” he shared—allowing him to avoid undervaluing himself or settling for roles that didn’t align with his abilities.
Through determination (and lots of applications), Austin found roles with Climate FieldView and later with Gradable. These roles expanded his skill set even further, from customer relationships to regulatory requirements.
He even found contract work and long-term professional connections through the relationships these roles created.
His final transition—into his current position at SQM—came through LinkedIn outreach. His diverse background made him stand out as someone capable of building new territories and handling complex business growth.
What makes Austin’s story powerful is not that he followed one perfect path—it’s that he didn’t.
He explored.
He adapted.
He learned what he liked—and what he didn’t.
He built skills across research, agronomy, sustainability, remote work, sales, and leadership.
And most importantly:
He succeeded because of his winding path, not in spite of it.
His experience is a reminder that:
1. Your first job doesn’t determine your entire future.
2. Career setbacks don’t define you.
3. Your skills are more valuable than you think.
4. You’re allowed to reinvent yourself.
Even if you feel “new” in one area, past experiences help you stand out in another.
Based on his experiences, Austin encourages job seekers to:
1. Stay aware of your professional value.
Know what your skills are worth in the market, not just when you're job hunting, but always.
2. Keep exploring new opportunities—always
Even when not actively job hunting, Austin regularly checked roles to understand where the industry was heading. It kept him informed, grounded, and ready to move when the time was right.
3. Build your network before you need it
Former colleagues and recruiters played a major role in his transitions. Relationships built over years, not weeks, are the ones that open doors when it matters most.
4. Know your strengths and use them
The skills you've built don't disappear when your title changes. Even when stepping into something new, your past experience shapes how you think, problem-solve, and lead.
A career in agriculture can take you across companies, roles, states, and skill sets—but each step builds on the last.
Whether you’re a student exploring your first job, a young professional searching for the right fit, or someone considering a career pivot, remember:
You don’t need a perfect path. You just need to keep moving.
Your strengths, your experiences, and your willingness to grow will take you farther than you think.
And along the way, AgCareers.com is here to support you. Whether you're actively searching, exploring new paths, or simply understanding your value in today's ag and food workforce, the right tools make all the difference.
By setting up your free AgCareers Job Seeker Profile, you can showcase your skills and experience, get matched with relevant opportunities, and stay visible to employers who are actively looking for talent like yours.
Follow AgCareers on social media for career tips and industry insights, and subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter for the latest job postings, hiring trends, and professional development resources. No matter where you are in your career, AgCareers is a partner you can rely on to help you navigate what's next.
