AGRICULTURE and NATURAL RESOURCES …

                     AGRICULTURE and NATURAL RESOURCES
                               What can I do with this degree?
              AREAS                             EMPLOYERS                                             STRATEGIES
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Appraisal                         Agricultural businesses                               Plan on securing a masters or doctoral degree for
Consulting                        Production industries                                     advanced positions.
Risk Management                   Credit agencies, banks, brokers                       Gain work experience in area of interest through
Credit Analysis                   Real estate and appraisal services                        internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time work.
Retail Management                 Public/private market analysis firms                  Get involved in campus and community organizations.
Marketing                         Farm information services utilizing mass              Learn the federal job application procedure for govern-
Sales                                 communications                                        ment work.
Public Relations                  County agricultural offices
Finance and Banking               Purchasing/supply firms
Economic and Policy Analysis      Feedlot operations
Commodity Trading                 Federal government
Farm Management                   Private foundations
                                  Farm cooperative services
                                  Feed and seed companies
                                  Self-employment
EXTENSION/EDUCATION
                                 Schools                                                Obtain teacher certification for public school positions.
                                 Extension services                                     Develop excellent writing and speaking skills.
                                 Agricultural agencies                                  Take courses in economics and community
                                 Agricultural communications and                            development.
                                      media firms                                       Learn to work well with all types of people.
                                 Agribusinesses                                         Develop strong interpersonal skills.
                                 Government agencies                                    Be willing to live in rural communities for extension
                                                                                            positions.

BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Power and Machinery            Equipment design, testing, and manufacturing firms       Gain experience through co-ops or internships.
Structures and Environment     Equipment and food industries including:                 Develop strong math skills and problem solving
Electronic Systems                 processing, packaging, and storing                      abilities.
Soil & Water Conservation      Quality control organizations for food, feed, or fiber   Earn an advanced degree for positions in research
Food Engineering               Biotechnology research firms                                and development.
Engineering Technology         Environmental consulting firms
                               Local, state, and federal government
                               Public health service
(Agriculture & Natural Resources, Page 2)

                   AREAS                                  EMPLOYERS                                           STRATEGIES

 ANIMAL SCIENCE
 Research                                    Genetic research organizations                   Gain extensive laboratory and research experience.
 Inspection                                  Agribusinesses: meat, poultry, feed              Get experience in a veterinary medical practice and
 Farm Production and Management              Government laboratories                              prepare for application to veterinary school.
 Veterinary Science                          Livestock producers                              Obtain knowledge of sales and business principles
 Sales                                       Feed companies; Feedlot operations                   if interested in that area.
                                             Supply and equipment industries                  Develop good communication skills.
                                             Extension services
                                             Veterinary practices
                                             Universities
 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
 Quality Assurance                          Food industry, including:                         Plan on securing advanced degrees for promotion.
 Research                                       Processing plants                             Obtain laboratory and research experience.
 Food Chemistry and Microbiology                Quality control units                         Find a related internship.
 Manufacturing & Distribution                   Manufacturing                                 Take additional courses in chemistry, biology, and
                                                Distribution                                      microbiology.
                                            Government laboratories and regulatory agencies
                                                such as the USDA
                                            Universities
 FORESTRY
 Forest Recreation                          Local, state and federal government               Develop physical stamina, resourcefulness, and
 Resource Interpretation                        Forestry Service                                 outdoor skills.
 Resource Management                            USDA                                          Gain experience through volunteer opportunities or
 Wood Products/Utilization                      National and state parks                         internships.
                                                Reserves                                      Be willing to relocate.
                                            Research Centers
                                            Lumber, pulp, and paper industries
                                            Private industry
                                            Landowners
                                            Nature centers
 WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
 Law Enforcement                            Local, state, and federal government including:   Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills, and
 Conservation                                   Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks                    attention to detail.
 Resource/Range Management                      Wildlife refuges                              Plan to earn a business minor or take additional
 Wildlife/Fisheries Biology                     Management areas                                  communications courses including conflict
 Aquaculture                                Private industries (e.g. aquaculture                  management.
                                                production firms)                             Earn a minor in criminal justice for game manage-
                                            County/municipal agencies                             ment.
                                            Foundations, museums, nature centers, zoos        Develop interpersonal skills.
                                            Nonprofit organizations                           Obtain paid or volunteer experience while in school.
(Agriculture & Natural Resources, Page 3)

                    AREAS                                 EMPLOYERS                                        STRATEGIES

  PLANT & SOIL SCIENCES
  Crop Production Management                Extension services                               Find a related internship.
  Research                                  Federal agencies                                 Develop effective communication skills.
  Environmental Science                     Agribusiness                                     Supplement curriculum with courses in busi-
  Plant Breeding                            Construction agencies                                ness, geology, entomology, or pathology
  Soil and Water Conservation               Plant propagation/production agencies                depending upon interests.
  Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis            International agricultural agencies
  Pest Management                           Harvesting and fertilization manufacturers
  Farm Management
  Sales

  ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
  & LANDSCAPE DESIGN
  Growing/Production                        Landscaping firms                                Get practical experience in the field through
  Design                                    Parks and amusement parks                            internships or summer and part-time jobs.
  Landscape Construction                    Golf courses                                     Develop skills in speaking, writing, and
  Nursery Management                        Cemeteries                                           photography.
  Arboriculture                             Large hotels and resorts                         Minor in business if interested in management or
  Turfgrass Management                      Industrial sites                                     self-employment.
  Sales                                     Wholesale growers: nurseries, greenhouses,       Be prepared to work seasonally or move to a
  Plant Therapy                                   florists                                       climate where more year-round opportunities
                                            Retail outlets                                       are available.
                                            City and highway departments                     Earn Registered Horticultural Therapist licensure
                                            Botanical gardens and arboretums                     for plant therapy.
                                            Floral designers
                                            Government agencies: local, state, and federal
                                            Colleges and universities
                                            Self-employed
                                            Health-related organizations and community
                                                 centers
(Agriculture & Natural Resources, Page 4)

   GENERAL INFORMATION
       ·   For entry-level positions, a bachelor's degree is sufficient. A master's or doctoral degree is often necessary for advancement. Some federal and
           private agency work, consulting positions, and especially research positions require a graduate degree.
       ·   Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in field of study.
       ·   Develop excellent computer skills.
       ·   Join a student club or student professional association to network and cultivate related academic interests.
       ·   Many students apply to professional programs such as pharmacy, medical, or veterinary school with an agriculture and natural resources background.
       ·   Majoring in two subject areas or pursuing a minor can increase marketability. For example, study in landscape design and business can lead to
           higher-level management opportunities.




                Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, Revised 2004)
                                                UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer