Food and Agricultural Business Major Careers

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Financial Services and Related Areas

• Commercial banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loans associations
• Service banks
• Mortgage banks
• Purchasing/supply firms
• Farm cooperative services
• Real estate brokers
• Agricultural commodity organizations
• Insurance companies
• Appraisal firms
• Developers
• Large corporations: real estate departments
• Real estate investment trusts
• Law firms

• Take additional courses in statistics, finance, and accounting.
• Seek experience in financial areas through part-time employment or internships.
• Develop strong communication skills, as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
• Get involved in student professional associations such as the National Agrimarketing Association or other agribusiness clubs.
• Demonstrate competence in managing money and analyzing data. Serve as a treasurer for a student organization.
• Stay up to date on local, national, and global economic trends.
• Research and contact major and/or local financial and banking institutions that specialize in the agricultural market.

Marketing and Related Areas

• Agribusinesses
• Production industries
• Food retailers and wholesalers
• Food processors
• Manufacturers of farm input supplies
• Farm equipment manufacturers
• Market analysis firms
• Insurance firms

• Gain experience with retailers in the agricultural industry and other agribusinesses through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
• Develop strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well with a wide variety of people.
• Initiative, sales ability, and excellent customer service skills are also important in this area.
• Get involved in campus organizations such as the National Agrimarketing Association and seek leadership roles.

Management

• Agribusinesses
• Farm input supply businesses
• Commodity processors
• Landscape design and maintenance firms
• Production industries
• Feedlot operations
• Feed and seed companies
• Food wholesalers and retailers (grocery stores)
• Farmers cooperatives
• Gas, electric, and water distributors
• Retailers outside of agriculture

• Get involved in professional organizations such as Institute of Food Technologists or International Food and Agribusiness Management Association.
• Pursue experiences with management companies through part-time employment, internships, or co-ops.
• Develop skills in decision-making and policy analysis along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Stay up to date on local, national, and global economic trends.
• Research and build contacts at management organizations that specialize in agriculture.
• Prepare to start in entry-level management trainee positions.

Agricultural Equipment Systems Management

• Agricultural support companies
• Agricultural machinery manufacturers
• Machinery dealerships
• Machinery service companies
• Landscape development and maintenance industry
• Farm input supply businesses
• Farm and garden supply stores
• Wholesale distributors
• Logistics firms

• Develop awareness and understanding of the farm machinery and equipment market, both nationally and internationally.
• Research the development of basic and advanced farm and agricultural equipment.
• Obtain retail and/or wholesale sales experience, preferably in the field of agriculture or farm supply companies.
• Get involved in related student organizations.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially for sales-related positions.

Rural Development/Resource Economics

• Local and state government
• Federal government agencies including:
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Bureau of Land Management
• Gas, water, and electric distributors
• Coal companies
• Mining companies
• Railroads
• Law firms
• Nonprofit organizations

• Volunteer with relevant organizations to gain familiarity with rural economic issues.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Stay up to date on local, national, and global economic trends.
• Build skills in decision-making and policy analysis.
• Assist a faculty member with his or her research.
• Complete an internship with a government agency.

Government/Nonprofit

• State and Federal Conservation
• Health and Regulatory Inspection
• Agricultural Inspection
• Policy Analysis
• Legislation
• Association Representation

• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Gain experience and exposure to the industry by volunteering with organizations such as 4-H.
• Complete an internship with a government agency.
• Maintain a high grade point average.
• Research government application processes.

Education

• Colleges and universities
• Research institutions
• Extension services
• Farm information services utilizing mass communication

• Earn a PhD for university teaching and research.
• Volunteer to assist a faculty member with his or her research.
• Get involved in relevant campus activities such as tutoring, peer mentoring, etc.
• Participate in organizations such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) and seek leadership roles.
• Gain experience working with children and adults of varying ages.
• Prepare to live in a rural community for some extension positions.