Careers in Agriculture

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agriculture that can be obtained without pursuing an
advanced degree beyond high school. Several positions,
such as sales representatives, may prefer applicants
with a college degree but will accept equivalent relevant
experience.
A certificate or specialized training program may
help you to be more successful in a career, but many
companies will assist financially with on-the-job training
for their employees.
Examples of a few positions available for high school
graduates: Equipment Operator, Data Processor, Animal
Care Worker, Custom Applicator, General Laborer,
Production Associate, Fabricator, Pen Rider, Customer
Service, Lab Technician, Logger.
Skilled Trade & Apprenticeship Certificate:
There is growing demand nationwide for skilled and
technical professionals. Job descriptions in this segment
may express a preference for post high school education,
or note specific technical training such as a welding
diploma, CDL license, accounting certificate, pest control
advisor (PCA) license, journeyman license, forklift license,
certified industrial refrigeration operator (CIRO), etc.
These certifications are available from vocational/
technical schools, extension and outreach programs,
government agencies, and private academies.
Examples of positions available for skilled/technical
certificate holders: Electrician, Truck Driver, Bookkeeper,
Mechanic, Maintenance Supervisor, Refrigeration Technician,
Millwright, Equipment Manager, Field Operations, Clerk,
Welder, Carpenter, Auctioneer.
Associate’s / 2-Year Degree:
Community, junior and technical colleges offer associate
degree programs that will typically be completed in two
years, along with options for agricultural transfer programs.
Associate’s degrees relevant to the agriculture industry may
include Diesel Technology, Accounting, Computer Technology,
Turf Management, Process Technology, Mechatronics, Human
Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Agriculture
Geospatial, Natural Resources, etc.
Jobs opportunities for two-year/diploma holders: Parts
Manager, IT Technician, Dispatcher, Production Manager, HR
Specialist, Quality Control Specialist, Administrative
Assistant, Program Technician, HACCP Superintendent,
Hatchery Supervisor, Research Assistant and more.
Agriculture is like any other industry, it takes a diverse skill
set of employees to power the day-to-day operations. There
are rewarding and fulfilling careers in agriculture that
require an advanced degree or very specialized training.
Likewise, there are also opportunities for those with a high
school education or an apprenticeship certificate.
collects data on the educational
requirements requested by employers in their job postings.
For positions where the education level is specified, half
require a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is important to
note that more than 30% of all jobs posted on
do not list a specific minimum education
level. Unspecified positions accept a wide range of
educational levels based on experience.
Candidates should recognize the difference between
required versus preferred qualifications listed on job
postings; oftentimes employers offer flexibility in preferred
educational qualifications.
High School Diploma:
Almost all positions posted on require
a GED or high school diploma even if it is not stated in
the job description. There are some critical careers in
PURSUING
AGRICULTURAL
EDUCATION
By Bonnie Johnson,