1. Ag II Unit 1 Personal Career Development
Pearl River High School

2. Chapter 3.2 Your Career in Agriculture
1.1
3.2

3. Lesson Outcomes Agricultural Careers
Identify career opportunities in the field of agriculture, food, and natural resources
Examine the characteristics employers find desirable in employees
Describe the skills required for employment in agriculture
Accurately describe the steps to obtaining employment
Lesson Outcomes
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

4. Agriculture Career Pathways
Agribusiness
Agriscience
Agricultural Communications
Agricultural Processing
Agricultural Support Systems
Agricultural Systems
Natural Resources Management
Production Agriculture
Agriculture Career Pathways
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

5. Scope of Agriculture Agricultural Careers
Amount of land agriculture uses
Economic impact of agricultural industries
Number of people employed in agriculture
Looking at all three aspects of agriculture gives an overview of just how big agriculture really is.
Scope of Agriculture
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

6. Agribusiness Agricultural Careers
Managing the profitability of agricultural products and companies
Examples: accountant, agribusiness manager, agritourism manager, banker, chemical dealer or sales representative, commodity trader, economist
Farm appraiser, farm labor contractor, farm manager, financer, grain and livestock buyer, grain merchandising, information systems analyst
International marketing, lawyer, leasing consultant, loan officer, market analyst, marketing head, policy analyst, political advocacy
Quality controller, ranch manager, resource economist, tax consultant
Agribusiness
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

7. Agriscience Agricultural Careers
Examining the core science behind the things that happen in agriculture on a daily basis
Examples: agricultural educator, agronomist, animal or plant pathologist, biochemist, botanist, ecologist, extension education director
Field biologist, food scientist, geneticist, marine biologist, meteorologist, microbiologist, molecular biologist, nutritionist, physiologist
Soil scientist, toxicologist, turf scientist, wildlife biologist, zoologist
Agriscience
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

8. Agricultural Communications
Informing consumers and industry professionals about topics related to agriculture
Examples include: agribusiness manager, agricultural educator, agricultural journalist, agricultural literacy coordinator
Agricultural marketing, agricultural photographer, broadcast journalist, consumer counselor, cooperative extension agent
County extension agent, farm broadcaster, freelance writer, marketing representative, political lobbyist, public relations manager
Public relations representative, scientific illustrator, technical writer, training management
Agricultural Communications
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

9. Agricultural Processing
Transforming raw goods to consumer-ready products
Examples include: crop and plant graders, dairy plant supervisor, federal grain inspector, food inspector
Food processing plant operator, food regulatory consultant, food safety and quality technician, food science technician
Grain mill operator, machine operator, meat processing worker, milk processing plant supervisor, product development technician
Production supervisor, quality control manager, sawmill operator, weights and measurements official
Agricultural Processing
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

10. Agricultural Support Services
Providing the logistical, technological, and maintenance needs of the agricultural industry
Careers in agricultural support services include: agricultural aviator, agricultural mechanics repair technician, animal behaviorist
Animal nutritionist, computer support, crop consultant, crop insurance salesman, distribution center manager, electrician, equipment salesman, fertilizer salesman
Firefighter or specialist, groundskeeper, pharmacologist, plant pathologist, risk management analyst, soil analyst, transportation dispatcher
Tree surgeon, veterinarian, veterinary assistant, waste management specialist
Agricultural Support Services
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

11. Agricultural Systems Agricultural Careers
Designing, manufacturing, and maintaining the mechanical equipment and structures that agriculturists need
Careers in agricultural systems include: agricultural electrician, agricultural engineer, diesel mechanic, equipment fabricators
Equipment operator, hydraulic engineer, irrigation engineer, irrigation system designer, land-leveling technician
Machine engineer, power system mechanic, precision farming technician, welder, welding/metal fabricator
Agricultural Systems
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

12. Natural Resources Management
Conservation and use of cultivated and uncultivated lands
Careers in natural resources management include: cartographer, conservationist, environmental analyst, environmental lawyer
Environmental scientist, fish and game warden, fisheries biologist, forester, logger, miner, outdoor recreation manager
Park ranger, rangeland scientist, range manager, soil conservationist, soil scientist, water quality specialist, wildland firefighter
Wildlife biologist
Natural Resources Management
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

13. Production Agriculture
The management and production of agricultural commodities for sale to the consumer
Careers in production agriculture include: apiculturist (beekeeper), aquacultural producer, arboriculturist, Christmas tree producer, crop producer, dairy producer, fruit, nut, and/or vegetable producer, game animal producer, livestock producer, nursery products grower, swine producer, viticulturalist
Production Agriculture
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

14. Selecting a Career Agricultural Careers
Consider your likes and dislikes
Talents
Knowing and understanding your talents will be useful when laying out your career path.
Selecting a Career
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

15. Selecting a Career Agricultural Careers Job description
Knowing what is included is a key factor in knowing whether it is a career you want to pursue
On-site experience
Vary from job shadowing, to unpaid internships, to full-time paid employment
Selecting a Career
1.1
Agricultural Careers
3.2

16. Preparing to Be an Employee
Important Skills
Active listening
Computer use
Critical thinking
Decision making
Evaluation
Marketing
Mathematics
Operational analysis
Problem solving
Preparing to Be an Employee
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

17. Making contact with the employer
Conducting research
First impression
Initial contact is the first step in getting a job.
Research should cover the position, the company, and its hiring policies.
Your initial contact will create a memorable first impression that will last throughout the interviewing/hiring process.
Ask students to identify actions that would make a poor first impression.
Initial Contact
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

18. Online or paper application forms
Application should be complete, consistent with résumé, and exhibit good written communication skills
Your résumé is a brief overview of your education, qualifications and skills
Job applications are formal requests for employment, and are generally filled out at the initial contact or directly prior to the interview.
Ask students why their applications should be consistent with their résumés.
Information to have on hand includes: Social Security number (SSN); personal contact information; emergency contact information; names; addresses; and phone numbers of current and past employers; names; titles; and contact information for people who have agreed to act as personal or professional references; names; addresses; and dates of attendance for schools you have attended or are attending.
What information should you have on hand when filling out applications?
Applying for the Job
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

19. A cover letter is a document sent with your résumé to express your interest in the position and emphasize your qualifications
Why should this document be professional and well-written?
A cover letter introduces you to the potential employer and expresses your interest.
Cover Letter
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

20. Dress appropriately
Use open and confidant body language
Answer questions completely and honestly
Share relevant experiences
The interview is where most of the hiring decisions are made.
Dress one step above the clothing required for the position.
First impressions matter; greet the interviewer with a smile and a solid handshake.
Giving examples of relevant experiences will help communicate who you are and how your experiences have helped prepare you for the job.
The Interview
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

21. Follow-Up Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Express appreciation for the interview
Recap your qualifications and interest
Make yourself memorable
A follow-up letter shows the potential employer how serious you are about the job, shows gratitude for their time, and leaves one last impression in the minds of the interviewers.
Follow-Up
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
3.2

22. Employment
1.3
Self Gen

23. Writing a Resume Employment Things to include in your resume
Contact Information
Keywords for the job posting
Metrics
Use numbers to reflect your skills
How many people were you in charge of
Number and Costs of projects that you have worked on
Any relevant URLs that reflect your skill sets
Writing a Resume
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

24. Writing a Resume Employment Things to include in your resume
Accomplishments and Achievements
Do not include anything older then 5 years unless directly related to the job desired
Computer skills if essential to your job
Your career history
If you worked at a small company add a line or two to describe the company
Internships
List if applying for your first or second job
Remove them unless it is a high powered internship (White House Intern)
Writing a Resume
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

25. Business Letters Employment Date
Use the date the letter was written or completed
If written to a company in the US use the US date format (Month Day, Year)
If writing to a company outside of the US, then use the format most common outside of the US (Day Month Year)
Sender Address
Usually found in the letterhead
If not then include the senders address
Do Not include the senders Name and Title
Business Letters
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

26. Business Letters Employment Inside Address
Include the personal address for the person who is being addressed
If you do not know who you are writing to then call the company and find out who you are writing to and what their title is
When writing to a female use Ms, Mrs, or Dr. If unknown then use the generic Ms.
Salutation
Use the name and title of the person from the inside address
Business Letters
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

27. Business Letters Employment Body
Single spaced, left justified, leave a blank line between each paragraph
First Paragraph, friendly opening
Last Paragraph, restate purpose and request some type of action
Other Paragraphs, justify the main point of the letter
Closing
Inline with the date, one line below the last body paragraph
Capitalize the first word, leave four blank lines for a signature
Business Letters
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

28. Business Letters Employment Enclosures
If extra items are included with the letter type Enclosures one line below the closing
Listing the enclosed items is good practice in most cases
Business Letters
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

29. FFA CDE/LDE Tie-in Agricultural Issues Forum
1.2
Self Gen

30. Objectives Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Investigate a variety of local, state, national, and international issues facing agriculture through classroom instruction
Engage students in the selection, research, planning, and presentation of a local, state, national, or international agricultural issue with relevance to the local community
Demonstrate through the portfolio, presentation, and questioning an understanding of the principles and fundamentals of agricultural issue analysis
Connect agriculture students with professionals in the industry as they research and present their forum
Increase the awareness of an agricultural issue at the local, state, or national level through presentations of the forum
Apply teamwork, leadership, and communication skills for a career success
Objectives
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Self Gen

31. Students will work alone or in groups of 2 at the most
Each group will turn in a research Portfolio on a local, state, national, or international agricultural issue
Each group will present a presentation on the agricultural issue chosen
Presentations will be no longer then 15 minutes
Project Format
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Self Gen

32. Issues Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Environmental Issues
Agricultural Technology Issues
Animal Issues
Agricultural Career Issues
Economy and Trade Issues
Agricultural Policy Issues
Food Safety Issues
Biotechnology Issues
Additional ideas can be found at FFA.org/resources/ag-issues
Issues
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Self Gen

33. Portfolio Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Limited to 10 single-sided pages not including title page
Summary of the issue (max 2 pages)
Bibliography (APA Format)
Portfolio
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Self Gen

34. Limited to 10 single-sided pages not including title page
Summary of the issue (max 2 pages)
Bibliography (APA Format)
Presentation
1.2
Personal, Social, and Technical Competencies for Employment
Self Gen

35. FFA CDE/LDE Tie-in Employment Skills
1.3
Self Gen

36. The National FFA Employment Skills Leadership Development Event is designed for FFA members to develop, practice ad demonstrate skills needed for seeking employment in the industry of agriculture. Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world activities that are used by real-world employers.
Purpose
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

37. Cover Letter Employment Each student will create a cover letter
Typed, one page, single spaced, left justified
Letter should state
What position being applied for
Why they are interested in that position
Two to three qualifications for the position
Thanks to the person reading the letter
Contact information for the candidate
Cover Letter
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

38. Resume Employment Each student will create a resume
Resume should include
Personal Contact Information
A focused objective as to how the applicant would help the company achieve its goals
All education and relevant courses
All relevant experience and skills
Achievements and honors
References
Resume
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

39. Phone Interview Employment
Each student will conduct and “phone interview”
Students will set up a time to interview with the advisor
Grading will be based on First Impression, Response to Questions, and Overall Impression
Students should confirm date, time, and location with contact person
Phone Interview
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

40. Personal Interview Employment
Each student will conduct and personal interview
Students will set up a time to interview with the advisor
Grading will be based on Appearance, First Impression, Response to Questions, Communication Skills, Conclusion to the Interview
Personal Interview
1.3
Employment
Self Gen

41. Follow-Up Correspondence
Students will create a Follow-Up letter to the interviewing person
The follow-up letter should include
Thanks for the interview
Restatement of qualities
Interest in additional follow-up interviews
Follow-Up Correspondence
1.3
Employment
Self Gen