Agriculture is one of the most secure industries in the world. People need to eat, and someone needs to provide that food. The agricultural industry offers excellent opportunities for independence and personal fulfillment, but it can take some searching to find what works for you. Are you trying to figure out how to advance your career in agriculture, horticulture or food production? Consider these tips.
How To Advance Your Career in Agriculture
It's a misconception that Agriculture has flat organizational structures that make it difficult to move upwards. But that is not the case. There are many different types of opportunities in the industry with many opportunities to grow your career. Consequently, you must actively seek out opportunities for growth and advancement.
1. Review End-Goal Positions That Appeal to You
Explore ag job postings and career opportunities in the agriculture and food production industries. What positions appeal to you? Here are the seven main paths to consider:
- Natural resources and conservation efforts
- Food products and processing systems
- Power, structural and technical systems
- Environmental service systems
- Animal systems
- Plant systems
- Agribusiness
Are there any certifications needed for your chosen field? Research requirements, such as education and experience, to determine how to advance your agricultural career and reach those positions. Ideally, you can approach this by envisioning where you see yourself in the next 10 years.
2. Create a Career Map To Reach Your End Goal
Now that you have a vision for your future, create an actionable plan to get there. What steps do you need to take? How long would it realistically take to reach those goals? Set attainable short-term goals along the way that can help propel you toward the end goal. For example, if you plan to own a farm, start honing in on a specific crop and the best areas to grow it. Then, create a plan to gain experience and take you from worker to owner.
3. Consider Gaining Work Experience Abroad
Do you want to build a resume that stands out from everyone else's? Gaining experience abroad can be an incredible asset when learning how to advance your career. Exploring other countries and cultures can also give you invaluable insight into how different areas of the world approach farming and food production. When you return home, you may find new ways to produce or grow commodities that can benefit your local area.
4. Learn Another Language
Workers in food production increasingly come from immigrant backgrounds. The Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service reports that immigrants make up 73% of crop farm workers. A significant portion of these workers come from Mexico and Central America. People who choose to work in these and adjacent fields stand to benefit greatly from learning Spanish or another language that reflects the immigrant population coming into their specific areas.
5. Get a Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture or Food Production
In the past, farmers learned their skill sets from older family members or through apprenticeship. This way of learning has provided billions of people with lifesaving and profitable skills since the dawn of settled civilization. However, technology and sustainability concerns have come a long way since then. Obtaining a degree in an agricultural field can satisfy requirements to advance your career.
6. Gain Adjacent Qualifications
Are you thinking of working in food production but not in a direct role? You may like the more laid-back business culture but want to keep your options open. Agribusinesses and farms need accountants, recruiters, engineers, technicians and other professionals. You can significantly improve your options by gaining qualifications in these and other supportive roles.
7. Review and Update Your Resume
When was the last time you updated your resume? Does it still accurately reflect your competencies and achievements? Is it in keeping with current trends, or does your resume look outdated compared to the ones making the rounds in recruitment offices? Check resume-writing sites for samples to get an idea of the ideal resume for your position in the ag field. If you need help updating it, consider hiring professionals who can boost your marketability.
How To Advance Your Ag Career With AgHires
Sometimes opportunities come knocking, and you meet the right person at the right moment and receive the opportunity of a lifetime to work in your field. However, few people are this lucky. For most people, looking for new prospects is critical if you're trying to figure out how to advance your ag career. Looking in the right places is also incredibly important to your success. AgHires makes it easy to find your perfect agricultural job. Start looking today.
