FARM MANAGER BY: KATELYN NORMAN

DESCRIPTION Farm managers are responsible for planning, organizing and managing the activities of a farm to meet the objectives of the owner.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS * good at planning * able to analyse and solve problems * good organisational and supervisory skills * good communication skills * responsible approach and attitude * enjoy working outdoors in all kinds of weather * able to endure isolation and limited social contact * able to handle animals with confidence and patience * mechanical aptitude * aptitude for working with computers * able to work independently.

SALARY Full-time, salaried farm managers, with the exception of horticultural managers, had median weekly earnings of $542 in The middle half earned between $221 and $655. The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $756, and the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $187

HELPING OUT Growing up on a family farm and participating in agricultural programs for young people (sponsored by the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, or the 4- H youth educational programs) are important sources of training for those interested in pursuing agriculture as a career. However, modern farming requires increasingly complex scientific, business, and financial decisions. Therefore, even people who were raised on farms must acquire the appropriate education.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES planning finances and production to maintain farm progress against budgeted parameters; undertaking a wide range of practical activities such as driving tractors, operating machinery, feeding livestock, spraying fields, etc; arranging the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, machinery and equipment; being sure that farm activities comply with government regulations; monitoring animal health and welfare; maintaining a knowledge of pests and diseases and an understanding of how they work; applying health and safety standards across the farm estate;

THE THREE MAIN TYPES livestock - raising animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry arable - growing crops such as cereals (wheat, barley and oats), potatoes, sugar beet, vegetables and oil seed rape mixed - combining livestock and arable farming.

FARM MANAGERS SHOULD BE: be fit, energetic and strong be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions have business management and marketing skills

MORE POSSIBILITIES Large farms have promotion possibilities. Experienced farm managers can also move into other work, e.g. technical sales, consultancy, teaching or as an agricultural adviser for government bodies.

OTHER CLOSELY RELATED JOBS Agricultural Scientist Agricultural Technical Officer Aquaculture Technician Beekeeper Farm Hand Fruit and Vegetable Picker Horticultural Tradesperson Shearer Stock and Station Agent Wool Classer

BECOMING A FASHION DESIGNER BY: KATELYN NORMAN

BEING A FASHION DESIGNER designer has Being a fashion rapidly become one of the most sought after careers, recently surpassing the age-old staple of being a rock star. Fashion is a competitive and cutthroat business, and a lot of people don't realize how much goes into being a successful fashion designer.

A GREAT WAY TO START A great way to start out designing clothes is to use a lot of different influences - costumes, or things from movies, or going into a store and seeing something appealing or seeing a detail of an item that stands out - from these you can visualize a piece and go from there.

ONCE THE PATTERNS MADE Once the pattern is made, continue tweaking the patterns until you come up with a design that appeals to you, then sew a sample item, and take it to a tailor who can make many pieces for you. Once you come up with an idea, the work of making the piece begins. Amassing a number of block patterns that can be modified for new designs and sizes is essential for building designs.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A DESIGNER: Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. People in this field need self-discipline to start projects on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules. Good business sense and sales ability also are important, especially for those who freelance or run their own business.

SALARY Median annual earnings for fashion designers were $48,530 in The middle 50 percent earned between $34,800 and $73,780. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,970. Median annual earnings were $52,860 in apparel, piece goods, and notions--the industry employing the largest numbers of fashion designers.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BEA FASHION DESIGNER Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty.