Careers

Finance/Banking

• Commercial Lending
• Branch Management
• Bank Operations
• Lending
• Commodities (Stocks & Futures)
• Accounting
• Risk Management
• Appraisal
• Real Estate
• Insurance

Employers

• Commercial banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loans associations
• Service banks
• Mortgage banks
• Insurance companies
• Legal firms
• Purchasing/supply firms
• Farm cooperative services

Strategies

• Seek out experience in financial areas through part-time employment or internships.
• Develop skills in decision-making, policy analysis and technical analysis.
• Explore ways to demonstrate competence in managing money and analyzing data.
• Stay up to date on local, national and global economic trends.
• Get involved in campus organizations such as the National Agri-Marketing Association or other Agribusiness clubs.
• Research and contact major and/or local financial and banking institutions that specialize in the agricultural market.
• Take additional courses in statistics, finance and accounting.

Sales/Marketing

• Agricultural Marketing
• Outside Sales
• Retail Sales
• Customer Relations
• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Insurance Sales
• Real Estate
• Agricultural Consultation

Employers

• Market analysis firms
• Agribusinesses
• Production industries
• Food retailers and wholesalers
• Food processors
• Manufacturers of farm input supplies
• Farm equipment manufacturers
• Insurance firms
• Media companies
• Advertising agencies
• Consulting firms

Strategies

• Join a professional organization such as National Agri-Marketing Association.
• Gain experience with retailers in the agricultural industry and other agribusinesses.
• Develop skills in decision-making, policy analysis and technical analysis.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Get involved in campus organizations such as the National Agri-Marketing Association and seek leadership roles.
• Build relationships with major and local retail and marketing firms that specialize in agriculture.

Management/Development

• Agricultural Management
• Crop and Livestock Farm Management
• Farm and Home Management
• Agribusiness Management
• Land Management
• Environmental Resource Management
• Rural Economic Development
• Rural Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Agricultural Programming
• Agricultural Consultation

Employers

• Agribusinesses
• Farm-input-supply businesses
• Commodity processors
• Landscape design and maintenance firms
• Production industries
• Feed lot operations
• Feed and seed companies
• Food wholesalers and retailers
• Gas, electric, and water distributors
• USDA
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Law firms

Strategies

• Join a professional organization such as Institute of Food Technologists or International Food and Agribusiness Management Association.
• Pursue experiences with management companies through part-time employment, internships or co-ops.
• Develop your skills indecision-making, policy analysis and technical analysis.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Stay up to date on local, national and global economic trends.
• Become involved in campus organizations such as the NAMA/Agribusiness club.
• Research and contact management organizations that specialize in agriculture.
• Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions.

Agricultural Equipment Systems Management

• Purchasing/Buying
• Dealership Management
• Customer Relations
• Wholesale and Retail Sales
• Environmental Technology
• Farm Supply Management
• Teaching/Training
• Logistics

Employers

• Agricultural support companies
• Agricultural machinery manufacturers
• Farm machinery sales and service companies
• Landscape development and maintenance industry
• Farm input supply businesses
• Farm and garden supply stores
• Wholesale distributors
• Logistics firms

Strategies

• Develop awareness and understanding of the farm machinery and equipment market, both nationally and internationally.
• Explore current and past research into the development of basic and advanced farm and agricultural equipment.
• Obtain retail and/or wholesale sales experience, preferably in the field of agriculture or farm supply companies.
• Get involved in related student organizations.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially for sales-related positions.

Rural Development/Resource Economic

• Land Management
• Environmental Resource Management
• Rural Economic Development
• Rural Planning
• Policy Analysis
• Timberland Economy
• County Planning

Employers

• Local, state and federal government
• USDA
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Gas, water and electric distributors
• Coal companies
• Railroads
• Law firms

Strategies

• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Stay up to date on local, national and global economic trends.
• Develop your skills in decision-making, policy analysis and technical analysis.
• Complete an internship with a government agency.
• Volunteer to assist a faculty member with his or her research.

Government/Nonprofit

• State and Federal Conservation
• Health and Regulatory Inspection
• Agricultural Inspection
• Legislation
• Policy Analysis
• Association Representation

Employers

• State and local government
• Federal government agencies including: US Department of Agriculture, National Parks, Army
• Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management
• Non-profit organizations
• Advocacy groups
• International agencies & non-governmental organizations

Strategies

• Gain exposure and experience by volunteering with agencies such as 4-H.
• Find an internship with a government agency.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Learn about the federal government application process.
• Maintain a high grade point average.

Education

• K-12 schools
• Colleges and universities
• Research institutions
• Extension services
• Farm information services utilizing mass communication

Employers

• K-12 schools
• Colleges and universities
• Research institutions
• Extension services
• Farm information services utilizing mass communication

Strategies

• Volunteer to assist a faculty member with his or her research.
• Gain certification to teach K-12. Earn a Ph.D. for university teaching.
• Learn to work well with all types of people.
• Get involved in relevant activities such as tutoring, peer mentoring, etc.
• Be prepared to live in a rural community for extension positions.

Other Professions

• Credit Analyst
• Farm economics and policy analysis
• Farm Management
• Financial Services
• Grain Merchandiser
• Insurance Underwriter
• International development in agriculture
• Livestock Buyer
• Market Advisor
• Marketing
• Professor
• Public Relations
• Retail Manager
• Sales and Marketing
• Technical and management positions in farming