2 class periods of 45 minutes each
Large Groups
Students will explore careers in agriculture and natural resource fields through online research; students will check their understanding through a board game.
Activity 1
Considering a career in agriculture and natural resources? Can you name ten careers in agriculture and natural resources? Careers in agriculture and natural resources provide people with the things they use everyday: food, clothing, and shelter. Farmers and ranchers--who work with a multitude of scientists, technicians, business people and educators--all get involved to provide safe, inexpensive food from the farm to our fork. Researchers and scientists help to develop new seeds, safer crop protection, and more efficient machines that are part of a large complex system that provides us with the things we use everyday. Opportunities have expanded in the field of agriculture to include unique positions in sustainable farm management systems, biotechnology, forestry, marketing, engineering and more.
Employment opportunities for U.S. college graduates with expertise in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system are expected to remain strong during the next five years, according to "Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the U.S. Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources System," the 7th five-year employment opportunities projections study initiated by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The study identified graduates with baccalaureate or higher degrees in agriculture, natural resources, veterinary medicine, or closely allied specializations. This study (see link on materials list) examined those graduates who qualify for and generally enter scientific and professional occupations within the broadly defined careers of the food and agricultural sciences.
This year's study identified 54,400 annual job openings for new graduates from 2010 through 2015. To fill these openings, an average of 29,300 graduates is expected annually from colleges of agriculture and life sciences, forestry and natural resources, and veterinary medicine. In addition, approximately 24,200 qualified graduates each year from allied fields, including biological sciences, engineering, health sciences, business, and communication will compete for these positions. Four major factors will define the market for graduates in the next five years: macroeconomic conditions and retirements; consumer preferences for nutritious and safe foods; food, energy, and environment public policy choices; and global market shifts in population, income, food, and energy. Some of the future careers in agriculture are yet to be defined; they are the emerging careers in agriculture.
Most people want to spend their work time doing something they enjoy. Many people have a hard time deciding what type of job they would enjoy. The Holland Theory is a way to evaluate what types of activities you enjoy or interests you have and match these to the jobs you might enjoy. By answering a few questions, students may find out which agricultural and natural resource careers might match their talents and capabilities.
People usually enjoy working in environments that allow them to associate with like-minded individuals. There are six different types of working environments: realistic, investigative, artistic, enterprising, social, and conventional. Many people are a combination of types and may consider working in careers that combine two or more types.
Today there are 365 fields of study and employment in agriculture. Take
the time to explore some of the careers awaiting you. Refer to the Links section
for more resources.
Activity 1--Interest Assessment