See also: Agriculture Career Web Sites

After reviewing this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Discuss the rationale associated with choosing and preparing for a career.
• Understand why there is a lack of minorities in agri-businesses and related industries.
• Define modern-day agriculture.
• Describe basic requirements for a career in natural resources management agriculture and food and environmental sciences.
• Discuss the employment outlook.
• Understand the significance of finding both rural and urban job applicants.
• List a variety of jobs within the profession.

A qualified individual can find a rewarding and challenging career in agriculture food and environmental sciences, or natural resources management. These fields hold job opportunities for virtually all types of skills and every group of people. The global issues related to the food and fiber production are gaining added importance as the world's population increases. (In the last 100 years the world's population increased from 1.5 billion to 5 billion.)

People everywhere should understand the need for protection of our natural resources, and they should recognize the basic interdependence of rural and urban environments. We cannot depend on just a few farmers to produce the food we need for today and in the future. Highly skilled professionals must he available to meet this growing demand. Trained professionals with backgrounds in agriculture and related fields must he able to meet these challenges at a time when cities are taking over farm-land when deeper threats to environmental quality' are becoming more common, and when concerns for the quality of life for individuals and families are growing.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What's the problem?

There is a scarcity of positive role models in these professions! Youth their parents and even teachers, and guidance counselors have a difficult time changing their old impressions of agriculture. They still view agriculture as 'just farming." Although agricultural production does involve growing and marketing plants and livestock, this only accounts for about 10 percent of all agricultural jobs. We are not producing enough talented college graduates in the food and agricultural sciences to fill highly important roles in business, science and environmental management.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What are some of the reasons students give for pursuing a career?

Many researchers report that the leading factor in career choices made by high school seniors is the admiration of a successful person in the occupation. Parents tend to be the most influential people in the students decision-making process. A few students even choose the same occupation as their parents. Students, parents and teachers often have limited information about salaries, necessary academics, and even the type of tasks agricultural professionals perform.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. How has agriculture changed over the years?

The scope of agriculture is much different today from the way it was in the late 1800s. The days of forty acres and a mule" are gone forever. There is more to agriculture than tobacco, mules, chickens ... more than cotton fields and hay baling. Agriculture is a worldwide industry, and the largest industry in the United States!

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What is agriculture today?

Modern day agriculture has two main branches: technology and social sciences. Students pursuing the technological side study the natural sciences and technology. On the social side, concerns such as economics, community development, sales and marketing are predominant. Many different careers are open to an individual who wants to become involved in agriculture. Today, agriculture encompasses a wide variety of science and technology, business, math and engineering.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. How significant is agriculture to the economy?

Across our nation, millions of people work in agricultural businesses, and most of these people have never been on a farm in their lives. In fact, less than two percent of the US. population lives and works on farms, but 16 percent of all U.S. business is agriculture-related. In the state of North Carolina alone, food, natural fiber and forestry industries account for 27 percent of the state's income. The industry contributed $44 billion to the North Carolina's $166 billion Gross State Product in 1995.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What are the educational requirements for someone interested in pursuing a career in agriculture?

A four-year curriculum typically includes a balance of general courses in liberal arts, basic sciences, and mathematics. Among more specialized courses are studies in natural resources, food science, horticulture, agricultural economics, plant science, animal science, wildlife management and forestry. Students wanting to pursue special interests and improve their employment prospects can enter master's or doctoral degree programs.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. Are minorities under-represented in many of the careers related to agriculture, such as forestry - a highly significant fiber-producing industry?

Yes! Very few minorities pursue careers related to agriculture, such as forestry, and employers continue to seek minority graduates to fill present and future job vacancies. According to the 1990 Census, African-Americans accounted for only 3.1 percent of employed foresters, and 6.9 percent of employed forestry technicians. Three to four times as many African-American foresters are needed to achieve a balance.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What is the employment outlook for a student interested in agriculture, food sciences, or environmental studies?

There is a bright employment outlook in many agricultural career areas, because a large percentage of the individuals currently holding jobs in these areas began their careers in the late 1950s and are reaching retirement age. This is especially true in the technical and scientific branches of agriculture careers which offer prestige, professional recognition, and opportunities for advancement.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What are some of the reasons that students , African-American in particular, use to explain their low interest in a career in agriculture?

The under-representation of minorities in agriculture is sometimes attributed to:

• a belief that low socioeconomic status is associated with jobs in agriculture
• low formal education of parents
• a poor high school background in science and mathematics

Among the barriers which transcend ethnicity and socioeconomic status are a lack of appropriate career preparation information, parents who want their children to have white-collar jobs, and students' assumptions that their parents want them to pursue careers with rapid and immediate returns. Finally, a lack of financial resources often keeps potential students from attending college. Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. Are there job opportunities in urban areas?

Absolutely! As cities and suburbs confront multifaceted issues involving water quality, nutrition and health, and deteriorating infrastructure, they too have an increased and urgent need for agricultural professionals. In addition, all people, regardless where they reside, are consumers of food. Issues related to the food and fiber production, and interdependence of rural and urban ecosystems, are Important to human life. In many states, key agricultural industries (such as landscaping, garden centers, flower shops, veterinary hospitals and water treatment facilities) are located within large metropolitan areas and need skilled professionals to staff them.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. How can students with a career interest in agriculture, food sciences or natural resources management obtain additional information.

For specific agricultural career information, contact the agriculture department at your local community or junior college, state land-grant university, or other university with an agricultural program. Searching the Internet using key phrases such as careers in agriculture" or 'USDA" can also lead to valuable information.

Careers in natural resources management and food, agricultural and environmental sciences. What are some of the specific career opportunities for high school and college students interested in working in agriculture and related industries.