Careers in the Animal Industry

1. Careers in the Animal Industry

2. Three steps in choosing an occupation • Self -analysis • Study an occupation • Make a decision

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Meat and Dairy Production Companion Animal Poultry Aquaculture Equine Exotic Animals Service Animals Animal supplies and services Animal marketing Career Areas in Animal Industry

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. THE END!!! • Reference • Lee/Hutter/Rudd/Westrom/Bull/Mohr/Pollok (2000). Introduction to Livestock & Companion Animals (2nd ed.). Danville, Il.: Interstate Publishers, Inc.

27. Occupational Categories Review

28. Scientists, Engineers, and Related Specialists • Perform research to improve the competitive position of agriculture in the United States. • Animal scientist, biochemist, entomologist, food scientist, geneticist, microbiologist. • Agricultural engineer environmental engineer, food engineer. • Nutritionist, veterinarian. • These workers do essential research and development that improves the competitive position of the United States in world markets.

29. Managers and Financial Specialists • Use human relation and communication skills to provide guidance within an agriculture business. • Business manager, food service manager, retail manager, wholesale manager. • Economist, financial analyst, credit analyst.

30. Marketing, Merchandising, and Sales Representatives • Use communication and technology skills to trade agriculture products. • Marketing manager, livestock buyer, market analyst. • Food broker, grain merchandiser. • Sales representative, technical service representative. • About one-third of the projected openings for college graduates with degrees in agriculture are in this category.

31. Education, Communication, and Information Specialists • Use communication skills to share information about agriculture. • Agriculture education teacher, college faculty member, extension agent. • Public relations specialist, reporter, editor.

32. Social Services Professionals • Use communication skills and technical expertise to provide information about agriculture. • Dietician, nutrition counselor. • Food inspector.

33. Agricultural Production Specialists • Use technical skills to produce agriculture products. • Farmer, ranchers. • Professional farm manager, feedlot manager.