Career Pathways EDCI 660 Presented by Amber Cloud Wolfe Anna Siracusa Courtney Stierwalt

Information Communication Technology in Agriculture A Career Pathway Course Presentation for Agricultural Communications Undergraduate Students

Introduction Agricultural Communications is ever changing. Many often think it is talking to corn and animals, but in actuality Agricultural Communications encompasses a multitude of job opportunities that are constantly expanding. As with the times, careers in this field are relying more and more on technology. Traditional positions of writers, editors, and photographers are still present in the field, but the way we are doing these jobs has changed. Today we would like to help open your mind to new opportunities, and put you in connection with resources to help give you the edge and learn the language of this field. Your journey into your career search begins now!

JOB POSTINGS, SKILLSETS & KNOWLEDGE Career Pathways

Visiting Media Communications Specialist Reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing in Information Technology and Communication Services (ITCS). This position will create and design materials to support the communications and marketing endeavors that best represent the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Manage creative aspects of communications projects to support the College of ACES communications and marketing needs, including promotional and creative writing, editing and proofreading. Design and develop a wide range of electronic and print-based communications and marketing materials including presentations, brochures, posters, print and online advertisements, communications, digital display templates, event invitations and other materials as needed. Utilize excellent analytical skills to identify the target audience and independently choose appropriate styles of visual design, appropriate styles and length of message, and quantity and mode of message distribution to best reach that audience. Manage projects from conception to completion with a variety of clients, colleagues, freelancers, students and vendors. Must communicate technical terminology and concepts accurately with clients, outside vendors, freelance providers and others. Job Posting Effective communication Analytical skills Print design Skills

Education Content Specialist Develops new educational resources and content for the program. Researches and identifies existing educational resources for use by the program. Ensures program materials are current and accurate. Modifies existing educational materials to incorporate new and innovative teaching techniques. Uses social media to increase program success (i.e. chat room, bulletin board, blog, Facebook). Communicates regularly with the coordinators and program staff. Networks and collaborates with coordinators as program requires. Participates in educational activities that provide subject-matter and job skills of benefit to the program. Organizes and prioritizes assigned work, and schedules time to accommodate work demands, turnaround time requirements, and commitments. Uses interpersonal skills effectively to build and maintain cooperative working relationships. Job Posting Effective communication Analytical skills Research skills Skills

Additional Career Recommendations  Farm broadcasting  Journalists and editors of agricultural/rural magazines and newspapers  Communication specialist, public relations practitioner, or Web developer for agricultural commodity organizations, businesses, non-profits  Sales representative for agricultural business  Science journalist  Land-grant university communication specialist  Public relations or advertising for firms that specialize in or have agricultural clients

USING TECHNOLOGY AS AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATOR Career Pathways Students in the 'Multimedia in Agricultural Communication' course are developing science communication videos for the Purdue Agricultural Research Programs office. As part of the project, they are researching the usage of iPad-minis for online multimedia production.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Career Pathways

Association of Communication Excellence (ACE)  ACE is an international association of communicators, educators and information technologists. The organization offers professional development and networking for individuals who extend knowledge about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.  Mission: ACE develops professional skills of education, government, and research communicators and information technologists to extend knowledge about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences to people worldwide. ACE derives its basic mission from the longstanding experience of land-grant universities within the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and equivalent institutions in other countries in delivering necessary information for improving the lives of all citizens.

National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Vision  The vision of National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow is to be the leading collegiate organization in developing and strengthening agricultural communication students through professional growth opportunities and educational programs. Mission  The Mission of National ACT is to build relationships among agricultural communication professionals and college students and faculty, to provide professional and academic development for members and to promote agriculture through communications efforts.

National Agriculture Future of America  AFA men and women share the belief that the production, processing and distribution of food and fiber, with support for agriculture business services, are vital for our nation’s economy, both now and in the future. These men and women share three characteristics – they are talented, passionate and committed to a career in agriculture.  AFA’s strength comes from its unique partnerships with rural communities, corporations, foundations, colleges, universities, and individuals that support academic development, leader development and career development. This network creates an atmosphere that stimulates the development of professionalism, intrapreneurialism and intellectualism – each a key factor in human capital development.  The term human capital is the recognition that people are essential assets who contribute to development and growth of organizations and businesses, similar to physical assets such as machines and money. The collective attitudes, abilities and skills of people contribute to organizational performance and productivity. Expenditures in identification, training, development, health and support are an investment, not just an expense.

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES Career Pathways

Professional Resources  Great resource for undergraduates for career options in Agricultural Communication from UGA:  Journal of Extension publication on Leadership Styles in Agricultural Communication

TECHNOLOGY Career Pathways

Technology Tools  Telematics  Imagine pulling up on your mobile computer a map that shows where all your vehicles are operating and their fuel levels, how much product has been applied or how much crop harvested, and even if a piece of equipment is ready to break down.  RFID technology  Radio frequency identification, or RFID, has been widely used in livestock to identify animals. But global futurist Jack Uldrich says use of the tagging technology will expand to crops as the technology gets exponentially better, faster and cheaper.  Soil and crop sensors  More farm equipment today is being outfitted with smart sensors that can read everything from plant health and water needs in the crop to nitrogen levels in the soil. The sensors then enable on-the-go application of inputs based on real-time field conditions.  Pervasive automation  Reid Hamre, AGCO, uses the phrase “pervasive automation” to explain all the new product features that reduce operator workload. Growers should expect these types of automation to largely take over operation of equipment in the future. The new automated features allow operators to do more jobs with less strain and more accuracy because human error is eliminated.

Technology Resources  Another great resource on Information and Communication Technology  Farming industry news agriculture#slide-13-field_images-45641

CONCLUSION Career Pathways

What Ag Comm has prepared you for:  Reporting agricultural information to audiences such as consumers, legislators, homeowners, farmers, agribusinesses, commodity groups, and governmental agencies;  Sales, marketing, photography, and media, communicating about the importance of agriculture;  Journalism, news editorial, advertising, public relations, and telecommunications; and  Using advancing technology to understand, teach, and promote scientific agriculture.