If you have a degree in Agriculture or you're planning to study towards this qualification, you will receive knowledge and gain the skills needed to manage a farming or agricultural business. In addition to this, you will also be able to pursue work in food production, agricultural sales, or agricultural journalism.
The jobs in agriculture that will directly relate to your studies could include:
Soil Scientist
Agricultural Consultant
Farm Manager
Geneticist
Plant Breeder
Estates Manager
Rural Practice Surveyor
Fish Farm Manager
A Degree in Agriculture could also open up opportunities to become any of the following:
-Field Trials Officer
-Journalist
-Sales Executive
-Amenity Horticulturalist
-Woodland Manager
-Commercial Horticulturalist
-Forest Manager
-Horticultural Consultant
Work Experience in The Agricultural Sector
Getting hands-on experience at any level is key to increase your chances to find a job in agriculture. For those people who study agriculture, many are given the opportunity to complete a placement year as part of their studies; but not everyone has the opportunity to do this, and not all agricultural jobs require a Degree.
If you have any local commercial farms with commuting distance of your home, you can approach them directly to see if you can shadow a member of their team, volunteer, or see if they have any surplus work that you can put yourself forward for. You can also search locally for voluntary projects within your area that directly relate to environmental or agricultural work.
Below are a number of great resources that can help you land work as a volunteer or find a new job
The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
If you haven't got an agricultural qualification, there are still plenty of entry-level jobs in agriculture to be had. Many entry-level positions come with opportunities for advancement for the right person. Being committed, doing a good job, and being a person that can be relied upon will all work in your favour should you wish to develop and advance in a career in the agricultural sector.
Applying for a job in Agriculture – CV Tips
If you are planning a career in agriculture, or you're ready to apply for work right away, it's important to make sure your CV clearly shows why you're the best candidate for the role. Even for a work placement or volunteer opportunities in farming, you should always put your best foot forward.
If you've studied agriculture, outline the specific skills you've gained. Be those in food production, farming practices, livestock and crop science, farm machinery, sustainability, or others.
In your personal statement, particularly if you're in the early stages of your career planning, speak about your willingness to learn new skills and your ability to grasp new systems, concepts, and skills at-pace.
If you have little work experience to include, speak about your transferrable skills instead. This could include communication, time management, team working, numeracy, innovativeness, organisational skills, or project management.
Oftentimes, it's these key broad-level skills that really prove useful in shaping your ability to adapt quickly to new surroundings or tasks. Some of the key skills employers in agriculture look for are listed below:
Organisational Skills, inc. Time Management
If you can effectively manage your work and your time well, you will be an asset to any organization hiring in agriculture. Whether you are planning a career within logistics, out on the field, or as a consultant, being able to plan and adapt a schedule to the evolving needs of people, produce, or a project is key.
Being Adaptable
When an individual can quickly adapt to changing conditions, be those out on the field or in an office, it's a great skill to put to use. Again, it's another skill that can apply to the business side of agriculture as well as the practical agriculture jobs out on the field. Being able to think on your feet and use data to make smart decisions as things around you change will make you an asset to any agricultural firm. If you're planning a career in this sector, this is one of the key skills you will need to develop.
Being Adept with Technology
In our Agricultural Recruitment blog, we've written extensively on the subject of technology within agriculture – see one of the latest blogs about how AI is set to improve agriculture in 2021 and beyond. You don't necessarily need to be a technology genius but being able to quickly pick up new systems is key. Technology is already heavily embedded into the agricultural sector, and with AI and machine learning driving the sector's processes, efficacy, and profits, embracing technology is going to be crucial to your success. When planning a career in agriculture, staying on top of new developments and innovations can help you stay more informed, particularly in terms of modern agricultural practices
Communications and Teamwork
If you're preparing for an interview, part of planning should include finding examples of times you have demonstrated each of these core skills. Demonstrating good interpersonal skills is also key. So, whether you work alone or as part of a team, you are always going to have a need to communicate with others. Even consultants who work out in the field alone will eventually need to deal with relaying vital information back to their colleagues or clients. Building relationships, negotiating prices, and being a person that others can depend on is key.
In Summary
Planning your career in agriculture will be pivotal to your potential success. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve can help you map out a realistic career plan.
If you're looking to find work as a trainee or an entry-level role in any Agricultural business, then we might be able to help you find the right job for your individual situation. Our team is helpful, friendly, and has decades of collective experience working with people across the sector in varying roles.
If you haven't already registered or spoken with us, we'd love to hear from you. Please visit our website: www.agriRS.co.uk
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