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Animal Science Careers

Video By: Candidcareer.com

Animal Science Career Information
Area Employer Information/Strategies

Farm Range Production and Management

  • Livestock Production
    • Beef and Dairy Cattle, Swine, Poultry, Sheep, Horses
  • Livestock Feed
    • Production, Development, Quality Control, Distribution/Marketing
  • Meat and Dairy Foods
    • Production, Development, Quality Control, Distribution/Marketing
  • Farm and ranch operations
  • Feed companies and operations
  • Meat and dairy processors
  • Processing plants
  • Inspection services
  • Extension services
  • Government agencies including:
    • U.S. Department of Agriculture
    • Food and Drug Administration
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
  • Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs or part-time work.
  • Minor in business if interested in management or self-employment.
  • Participate in related clubs and competition teams.
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work.

Agribusiness

  • Sales
    • Livestock
    • Feed
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Agriculture Chemicals
    • Livestock Supplies
    • Equipment: Farm and Feedlot
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Customer Service
  • Agribusinesses: livestock and feed
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Equipment and supply companies
  • Food and meat processing companies
  • Animal health firms
  • Breed organizations
  • Food distributors
  • Financial institutions
  • Livestock publications
  • Professional associations, e.g. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • Obtain relevant experience through internships.
  • Earn a minor in business.
  • Must be highly motivated and well organized.
  • Proven leadership abilities are desirable. Join related student organizations and seek leadership roles.
  • Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
  • Practice excellent communication skills, written and oral.
  • Develop computer skills especially with spreadsheet, presentation and database software.
  • Learn to work well both on a team and individually.
  • Join related clubs and become active with competition teams.

Education

  • Teaching
  • Non-classroom Education
  • Extension
  • Schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary)
  • Extension services
  • Agricultural agencies
  • Agricultural communications and media firms
  • Agribusinesses
  • Government agencies
  • Obtain teacher certification for elementary and secondary school positions.
  • Secure masters or doctoral degree for post-secondary teaching or other advanced positions.
  • Exercise strong interpersonal skills.
  • Practice excellent written and verbal communications skills.
  • Gain related experience through volunteer positions, summer jobs, or internships.
  • Learn to work well with all types of people.
  • Seek leadership roles in student organizations.
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work.
  • Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension positions.

Veterinary Medicine

  • Areas of Specialization
    • Small Animal Care
    • Large Animal Care
    • Food Safety
    • Preventative Medicine
    • Surgery
    • Public Health
    • Laboratory Animal Medicine
    • Research
    • Inspection
  • Group or private practice
  • Federal government including:
    • Department of Agriculture
    • Department of Health and Human Services
  • State and local government
  • Colleges of veterinarian medicine
  • Medical schools
  • Research laboratories
  • Animal food companies
  • Inspection services
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Zoos
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
  • Research veterinary programs, take pre-vet courses to meet veterinary school requirements, and prepare for application process.
  • Maintain an excellent grade point average.
  • Gain experience through volunteer positions, part-time jobs, or summer work. Consider working as a Veterinary Technician.
  • Secure strong recommendations from professors.
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
  • Exercise close attention to detail.
  • Practice strong interpersonal skills.
  • Gain extensive laboratory and research experience for research positions.
  • Obtain internships at zoos or other wildlife sanctuaries.
  • Become active in pre-vet and other related clubs.

Science and Technology

  • Research
  • Product and Process Development
  • Genetics and Animal Breeding
  • Animal Nutrition/Health/Disease Control
  • Animal Behavior, Training and Caretaking
  • Government and corporate laboratories
  • Colleges and universities
  • Livestock producers
  • Zoos
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
  • Advanced degrees are often required in these positions.
  • Earn post-graduate certification through the Animal Certification Technician Board.
  • Gain extensive laboratory and research experience by working in faculty laboratories through special problems courses, as a student employee, or through other departmental programs.
  • Supplement curriculum with additional science courses in relevant areas (e.g. genetics, animal behavior, microbiology)
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work.
  • Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time work.

Quality Control

  • Livestock Feed Inspection
  • Harvest Operation Inspection
  • Meat and Dairy Inspection
  • Government Agencies including:
    • Food and Drug Administration
    • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Inspection services
  • Farm and ranch operations
  • Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
  • Become familiar with federal job application procedure for government work.
  • Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs, or part-time work.
  • Join student organizations and seek leadership roles.
  • Participate in competition teams.
  • Practice strong interpersonal skills.
  • Exercise close attention to detail.

General Information and Strategies

Links:

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