1. Animal, Plant & Soil Science
Lesson C10-1
Career Opportunities in the
Animal Science Industry

2. Interest Approach Can anyone tell me any animal science jobs?
Record the list, and rank the careers from their favorite (1) to their least favorite (?).
Think about the different types of work and hours involved with each career.

3. What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
Owning an animal production business is one way to be involved in livestock production.
Not everyone can own animals.
A person may not have the desire to run the financial aspects of the business or have the opportunity to own livestock.
In that case, he or she may want to be employed by someone who does own animals and work in one of the following capacities.

4. What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
A. Farm or ranch worker— This work varies based on the knowledge and abilities of the person employed.
Duties range from general farm labor (e.g., feeding, sanitizing areas, and moving animals) to more complicated tasks (e.g., treating sick animals).
Small farms may employ a person to do a wide range of tasks.
Workers in larger operations may be able to specialize in one or more areas.

5. What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
Many entry-level positions are as farm or ranch workers.
New employees are expected to have a general knowledge of livestock and to work competently with animals.
They need to learn quickly.
High school agricultural education classes are helpful.

6. What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
B. Farm manager— A farm manager carries out the daily operations of the farm.
The job may include long range planning and setting production goals.
Farm managers are usually hired by corporate farms, institutional farms (e.g., colleges or universities), or individuals who own a farm but do not want to be involved in the daily operations.
Becoming a farm manager requires a great deal of experience.

7. What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
Employers most often look to hire a manager with years of experience and some education beyond high school.
Tasks performed by a farm manager might include selecting and marketing animals, formulating feed, maintaining herd health, and supervising employees.
Helpful preparation for this career includes high school agricultural education classes, experience as a farm worker, and post-secondary education in animal science or some other related field in agriculture.

8. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
Careers in pleasure and service animal areas are numerous.
People interested in this area should enjoy working with animals and people and may enjoy some of the following career options.

9. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
A. Horse industry workers— Increased interest in light horses for pleasure and racing has opened new jobs.
These jobs range from stable attendant to racehorse trainer.
Most entry-level positions begin with hand labor.
Stable hands spend most of their time doing essential—not glamorous—work, such as cleaning the barn and feeding the horses.

10. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
As an employee becomes more experienced, he or she can advance to horse trainer, riding instructor, or stable manager.
Preparation for this career area begins with high school agricultural education classes and personal experience with horses.
Gaining experience and post-secondary education in equine science or some other related agricultural field will help a worker advance in this career.

11. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
B. Game and fisheries workers— People with an interest in the outdoors and wildlife should research a career in the game and fisheries sector of the animal science industry.

12. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
C. Wildlife conservation officers— These people work to educate the public about fish and wildlife and enforce game and fish laws.
Duties may include conducting workshops about wildlife and the environment.
Conservation officers are usually hired by state and federal agencies.
Most wildlife conservation officers must pass written and physical tests and then complete training.
Experience and a college degree in a wildlife area are beneficial.

13. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
D. Fish hatchery technicians— These people raise and manage fish.
The fish may be for stocking private or public ponds, lakes, or streams.
People employed in this field care for brood fish, tend eggs, maintain water quality, feed fish, provide for the health of the fish, and manage the facilities.
Hatchery workers are generally under the direction of a fisheries biologist.
High school courses in mathematics, science, chemistry, biology, and aquaculture are helpful.

14. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
E. Service animal workers—Service animals are used to assist people with special needs.
Examples of service animals are leader dogs for the blind, companion animals, and draft animals.
Draft animals are used for work, primarily the power to pull machinery.
Most draft animals are raised as a hobby.
In a few countries, however, they are still used as a major source of power.
People interested in this career will need to specialize in the type of service animal with which they would like to work.
Trainers of leader dogs go through years of specialized training.

15. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
F. Laboratory animal workers—Laboratory animals are animals used in research to improve human and animal life.
Laboratory animals are raised and kept under the best possible conditions.
These animals play a vital role in the progress of human medicine and related areas.

16. What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
Many of these animals are raised to meet specific qualifications for a certain type of research.
Some animals are bred with immune systems that are almost identical to human immune systems to help in AIDS research.
Laboratory animal production is a complex field that requires an in-depth knowledge of science, chemistry, and biology as well as an interest in animal research.

17. What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?
Several exciting and rewarding science-oriented careers exist in the animal science industry.
A. Animal scientists— Animal scientists study animals and work to develop improved methods of production.

18. What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?
Positions related to animal science are animal nutrition specialists, animal reproduction specialists, geneticists, chemists, and biotechnologists.
Animal research scientists concentrate in a specific area of interest.
Most people who work in this field have an advanced college degree.
Personal needs are of high interest in scientific inquiry and knowledge of biology, chemistry, and microbiology is essential.

19. What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?
B. Laboratory assistants—
Animal laboratory assistants help
with experiments, care for
laboratory animals, and raise
laboratory animals.
Attention to detail is very important in this job.
A high school diploma with an emphasis in animal agriculture is a minimum requirement.
Most laboratory assistants have some college education.
Several community colleges have excellent programs to train laboratory assistants.
Some assistants even have a Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, animal science, or a related field.

20. What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?
C. Agricultural engineers— Agricultural engineers work with animal facilities, waste management, and environmental impact as well as working on improving animal products.
Engineers must have at least a Bachelor’s degree, the ability to assess a problem, and the skills to prepare and offer solutions.

21. What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?
D. Wildlife biologists— Wildlife biologists focus on wildlife animals and their habitats.
They may study one particular endangered species or concentrate on improving the environment for many species.
Wildlife biologists must be committed to studying animals and science.
A college education is required for entry-level positions, and higher degrees are needed for advancement.

22. What are some of the career opportunities in the animal services sector?
People who provide for the needs of animals and help with marketing are important in the animal industry.
Producers often ask for assistance and advice from animal service professionals.

23. What are some of the career opportunities in the animal services sector?
A. Veterinarians— These professionals promote animal health by working to prevent illness and by providing care for sick and injured animals.
Veterinarians may specialize with specific livestock or generalize in treating all animals.
Becoming a veterinarian takes time and dedication.
Pre-veterinary students often earn a Bachelor’s degree in animal science or biology.
Then they apply for admission to a school of veterinary medicine.
If accepted, they complete several additional years of education and training to be certified to practice.

24. What are some of the career opportunities in the animal services sector?
B. Sales and service positions— One of the largest and fastest-growing areas of animal science, these people sell feed, ensure quality products, sell retail products, service equipment, operate stock yards, and provide information to producers.
Many sales positions related to livestock production require a college education in animal science or a related area.
Examples of specific job titles are veterinary assistant, feed mill worker, and sales representative.

25. What are some of the career opportunities in the animal services sector?
C. Livestock buyers— Livestock buyers may work for themselves or work for a major packing company.
It is important that the buyers know and understand industry and consumer demands in the meat market.
Training in animal selection is a requirement.
High school education in agriculture, biology, and mathematics is helpful.
Additional training (in animal science, meat science, business management, and public relations) at the post-secondary level increases opportunities in this field.

26. What are some of the career opportunities in animal science education and communication?
Careers available in animal science education and communication focus more on dealing with people than with animals.
A. Agriscience teachers— These people work for public school systems and private schools.
They teach basic agriculture and specialized classes to students of all ages.
A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and certification to teach agriculture are needed.
Teachers should also be knowledgeable about the FFA organization to develop and advise chapters at their schools.
They also work with students in Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (SAE). Some of these SAE programs could include animal science areas.

27. What are some of the career opportunities in animal science education and communication?
B. Agricultural extension agents— These agents work with local producers to improve production or to solve livestock/other problems.
A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture is needed.
Many states require a Master’s degree to be hired or within a few years of hiring.
This job requires a strong background in animal production and the ability to relate to the public.

28. What are some of the career opportunities in animal science education and communication?
C. Agricultural communication specialists— People in this career area share information about agriculture and animal science with producers and the general public.
They may work with newspapers, radio and television, or in public relations positions for companies.
Careers in animal science communications require a college degree in agriculture or communications.
Some colleges offer agricultural communication degrees.
People employed in this field need to have a broad knowledge of animals and have an outgoing personality.

29. Review What are some career opportunities in livestock production?
What are some career opportunities in pleasure and service animals?
What are some of the science-oriented career opportunities in animal science?

30. Review
What are some of the career opportunities in the animal services sector?
What are some of the career opportunities in animal science education and communication?