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AGRICULTURE
AROUND THE GLOBE
Opportunities in agriculture abound globally in nearly every nation. Hear from these leading agricultural
organizations about their global presences.
Looking for a career in a global industry that employs a broad range of professions, from accounting to quality control?
One that produces wholesome, innovative foods using cutting edge technology? One whose products are traded around the
world? Then look no further than the fresh produce and floral industry – that’s right, fruit, vegetables, nuts and flowers.
Youye “Lola” Song discovered the fresh produce industry in 2013. She was a senior at Cornell University when she was
invited to participate in a program called Career Pathways. The multilingual native of China was studying food science, marketing and business management.
Career Pathways, hosted by Center for Growing Talent by PMA, introduces university students to career opportunities in the fresh produce industry.
“The industry’s lack of, and therefore need for, young and diverse talents surprised me,” said Song.
After graduation, Song joined a U.S.-based international trading company as an account executive servicing clients across Asia.
Few people think of the fresh produce and floral industry as a career opportunity. That’s despite the fact that globally the industry is a multi-trillion dollar business. U.S. retail produce
department sales alone were valued at $63 billion in 2014, reports Nielsen Perishables Group. And yet few industries offer as diverse a range of career opportunities – from farm to store
and all the supply chain points in between. The fresh produce supply chain starts with market strategists, plant breeders, investors and others who make or drive decisions about what to
plant. Running the farm itself takes horticulturists, farm managers, heavy equipment operators and others. Produce packing and shipping facilities employ food safety and quality assurance
specialists, mechanics, computer operators and forklift drivers, to name just a few. Meanwhile, the staff at company headquarters includes finance, marketing, sales, accounting, human
resources, legal, food safety, information technology and other professionals. Other links in the supply chain – such as warehousing and logistics, as well as the vast world of food retail – re-
quire yet more job functions. Fresh produce and floral products are grown, bought and sold around the globe, so the industry offers career opportunities around the world. Increasingly, today’s
larger fresh produce and floral businesses operate internationally or have international partners, so that they can buy or sell goods year-round.
“I definitely recommend a career in fresh produce – work in the industry is dynamic, challenging, fun, and fulfilling,” said Song. “I especially enjoy working with farmers who tend their
crops like their children, with confidence, care, and pride. It gives me confidence that I am bringing quality to my customers.”
In fact, Song is so dedicated to her new industry that she now volunteers to mentor college students herself.
- Alicia Calhoun, Vice President - Talent Portfolio
Agriculture is an industry with a growing international presence which provides opportunities in many areas
of business. At DuPont, we have operations in over 90 countries around the world which produces various
opportunities in sales, production, research, agronomy, engineering, technology and many more. Individuals
interested in positions abroad at DuPont can visit our website and select any country to review what opportunities are available at
any time. While not every role will be able to hire from abroad, candidates seeking international opportunities should also consider
looking at opportunities here in the United States. As an international organization, many of our positions in the states collaborate
with sites worldwide which provides the opportunity to not only work on global projects but can also present opportunities to visit
international sites as business needs arise.
- Jennifer Struck, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Photo Credit: PMA
Photo Credit: Pioneer Brand Products - Australia