Careers in the Animal

Industry
Three steps in choosing an
occupation
 Self -analysis

 Study an
occupation
 Make a
decision
 Self-Analysis- the first step in
selecting an occupation.
 Ability- capacity to perform.
 Talent- natural aptitude to do a job.

 Physical make-up- strength, stamina,

health.
 Previous experience- work done in the
past.
 Interests- things that hold one’s
attention.
 Self-Analysis- the first step in
selecting an occupation.
 Educational aspirations- how much
education a person wants and can
obtain.
 Attitude and values- how a person sees
himself or herself.
 Flexibility- willing to change.

 Personality- how others see a person’s

traits.
 Study an Occupation- get
information.
 Nature of the work- hours, location,
conditions, skills, etc.
 Educational requirements- amount,
licenses, special training.
 Demand, pay, benefits, opportunity for
promotion, job security.
 The best way to learn more about an
occupation is work experience.
 Make a Decision- last of three steps.

 Match oneself with the best occupation

for the person.
 Have a second choice.

 Leave opportunities to change plans in

the future.
 Sources of Occupational
Information
 Counselors and career development coordinators.
 Agriculture education teachers.
 Parents and relatives.
 Persons working in specific jobs.
 Dictionary of Occupational titles- provides
descriptions of more than 20,000 jobs in the United
States.
 Books and pamphlets.
 Internet sites.
 Work experiences.
 Educational Requirements
 Scientists and engineers usually require masters or
doctoral college degrees.
 About 85% of the jobs in agricultural marketing,
merchandising and sales representatives that require
college degrees require baccalaureate degrees.
 Most jobs that have “laborer, helper, aide, attendant or
worker” in the title require high school diplomas.
Career Areas in Animal Industry
 Meat and Dairy  Animal supplies and
Production services
 Companion Animal  Animal marketing
 Poultry
 Aquaculture
 Equine
 Exotic Animals
 Service Animals
 Careers in Food Animal Areas
 Farm or Ranch Worker
 People who want to own & operate their
own farm may start out as a farm or
ranch worker
 Duties: general farm labor (feeding,
sanitation, moving animals) or more
complicated tasks (treating sick animals)
 Requirements: general knowledge of
livestock and work competently with
animals; learn quickly
Careers in Food Animal Areas
(cont.)
 Farm Manager
 Carries out everyday operation of the farm
 May include long-range planning and
setting production goals
 Requirements: extensive experience or
combination of experience and education
(often education beyond high school)
 Duties: selecting & marketing animals,
formulating feed, maintaining herd health,
supervising employees
 Careers in Pleasure and Service
Animal Areas
 Horse Industry Worker
 Jobs: stable attendant, horse trainer, riding instructor,
stable manager, barn boss
 Stable hands: spend most of time doing essential
work (barn cleaning, feeding horses)
 Also jobs in the race industry
 Careers in Pleasure and Service
Animal Areas (cont.)

 Game and Fisheries Workers

 Wildlife Conservation Officer: educates public about
fish and wildlife and enforces game & fish laws; work
at state and federal agencies
 Duties: conducting workshops on wildlife & environment
 Game Farm Workers: raise & manage different
wildlife species
 Desired qualities: high school diploma, interest in working
with game birds & animals
 Careers in Pleasure and Service
Animal Areas (cont.)
 Game and Fisheries Workers (cont.)
 Fish Hatchery Technicians: raise & manage fish
 Fish may be for stocking public and private waterways
 Care for brood fish, tend eggs, maintain water quality, feed
fish, provide healthy environment, manage facilities
 Work under direction of a fisheries biologist
 Helpful High School Coursework: math, science, chemistry,
biology, aquaculture
 Training & Interests for Game & Fisheries:
 Interest in wildlife/fisheries/conservation, most officers
must pass a test & go through training, beneficial to
have experience & a college degree in a wildlife area
 Careers in Pleasure and Service
Animal Areas (cont.)
 Service Animal Workers: raise animals that serve
humans
 Train draft animals, companion animals, dogs for the
blind
 Are large producers of service animals, but many
animals are raised by small producers or individuals
 Careers in Pleasure and Service
Animal Areas (cont.)

 Laboratory Animal Workers: raise and keep

lab animals under best possible conditions
 Animals are bred to meet specific qualifications
for research
 Requirements: in-depth knowledge of science,
chemistry, & biology; interest in animal research
 Careers in Science-oriented
Areas
 Animal Scientist: study animals & develop
improved methods of production
 Positions: animal nutrition specialists, animal
reproduction specialists, geneticists, chemist, &
biotechnologists
 Animal Research Scientist: advanced college
degree in specialized area of research; need high
interest in scientific inquiry & knowledge of
biology, chemistry, & microbiology
 Careers in Science-oriented Areas
(cont.)
 Laboratory Assistant
 Help with experiments, care
of lab animals, & raise lab
animals
 Requirements: attention to
detail; minimum of high
school diploma w/ emphasis
in animal agriculture; most
have some college education
Careers in Science-oriented Areas
(cont.)
 Agricultural Engineer
 Work with animal
facilities, waste
management,
environmental impact, &
improving animal products
 Requirements: bachelor’s
degree, ability to assess a
problem & prepare a
solution; knowledge of ag
and animal industry is
helpful
 Careers in Science-oriented Areas
(cont.)
 Wildlife Biologist
 Focus on wildlife animals and habitat
 May study endangered species or try to improve the
environment for many animals
 Work can include genetics, studying environmental
impact of industry, or repopulating an animal
 Requirements: college education for entry, higher
degrees for advancement; need interest in biology,
chemistry, animal science, math, & research
 Service Career Areas

 Veterinarian
 Promote animal health; provide care for sick &
injured animals; may specialize or generalize
 Bachelor’s degree in animal sci. or biology,
attendance at school of veterinary medicine
 Sales & Service
 Sell feed, ensure quality products, sell retail products,
service equip., operate stock yards, etc.
 Many sales positions require a college education
 Service Career Areas (cont.)
 Livestock Buyer
 Need to know what the industry & consumer demand
in a meat animal
 May work for him or herself or have clients in the
production or packing industry
 Requirements: training in animal selection

 Other beneficial knowledge: training in animal

science, business management, & public relations at
postsecondary level; high school ag, biology, math
 Education, Extension, &
Communication Areas
 “People” side of the animal industry
 Agriscience Teacher
 Work in public schools, teaching basic
agriculture & specialized classes
 Requirements: bachelor’s degree in ag or
related area & certification to teach ag
 Involve students in FFA & supervised
agricultural experience programs
 Education, Extension, &
Communication Areas (cont.)
 Agricultural Extension
Agent
 Work with local
producers to help improve
production or solve
problems
 Requirements: bachelor’s
degree in ag; many states
require a master’s degree
within a few years
 Education, Extension, &
Communication Areas (cont.)

 Agricultural Communication Specialist

 Share information about animals; may work with
newspapers, in public relations, & with broadcast media
 Requirements: university degree in agriculture or
communication; need broad animal knowledge &
people-oriented personality
 THE END!!!
 Reference
 Lee/Hutter/Rudd/Westrom/Bull/Mohr/Pollok
(2000). Introduction to Livestock & Companion
Animals (2nd ed.). Danville, Il.: Interstate
Publishers, Inc.
Occupational
Categories
Review
 Scientists, Engineers, and
Related Specialists
 Perform research to improve the competitive
position of agriculture in the United States.
1. Animal scientist, biochemist, entomologist, food
scientist, geneticist, microbiologist.
2. Agricultural engineer environmental engineer,
food engineer.
3. Nutritionist, veterinarian.
4. These workers do essential research and
development that improves the competitive
position of the United States in world markets.
 Managers and Financial
Specialists
 Use human relation and communication skills
to provide guidance within an agriculture
business.
1. Business manager, food service manager, retail
manager, wholesale manager.
2. Economist, financial analyst, credit analyst.
 Marketing, Merchandising, and
Sales Representatives
 Use communication and technology skills to
trade agriculture products.
1. Marketing manager, livestock buyer, market
analyst.
2. Food broker, grain merchandiser.
3. Sales representative, technical service
representative.
4. About one-third of the projected openings for
college graduates with degrees in agriculture are
in this category.
Education, Communication, and
Information Specialists
 Use communication skills to share information
about agriculture.
1. Agriculture education teacher, college faculty
member, extension agent.
2. Public relations specialist, reporter, editor.
 Social Services Professionals
 Use communication skills and technical
expertise to provide information about
agriculture.
1. Dietician, nutrition counselor.
2. Food inspector.
 Agricultural Production
Specialists
 Use technical skills to produce agriculture
products.
1. Farmer, ranchers.
2. Professional farm manager, feedlot manager.