What can you do with a degree in agriculture?

Degrees in agriculture cover many disciplines, which include biology, environmental studies and chemistry whilst also allowing students to gain an understanding of management, economics and food science. This wide range of different areas gives people the opportunity to develop an interest in a specific career or job type in agriculture.

Agricultural degrees give students the skills to succeed

Whilst studying for a degree in agriculture, students will learn about land use, farming practice as well as how government and policy has an impact on management and food production.

Students will also develop plenty of transferable skills such as the ability to use IT proficiently, the knowledge and ability to manage projects and also organisational skills, which will help them later on in their careers.

Agriculture degrees also include plenty of options to gain work experience, so students complete their studies with hands-on experience of what it's like to work in the industry and in teams with many different people.

What careers are available?

There are a variety of agricultural jobs available to graduates once they've completed their studies. Arguably the most apparent career paths include land and livestock management, farm management, agricultural research or animal welfare.

Careers in agricultural or economic consultancy are also available to graduates, these roles would include providing analysis and giving advice on the operational and technical aspects of a business, allowing graduates to use the knowledge and skills gained on their agriculture degree.

Another career path open to agricultural graduates is sales. Products and services in agriculture need salespeople and marketing so that companies can maintain their profits.

Managerial roles are open to graduates, either on a conventional farm or a unit on a farm where they can develop their managerial style, and use the skills and knowledge they gained from their degree. As a manager, individuals will play a vital role in overseeing food production for wider society.

Biotechnology is another sector that is open to graduates and offers a range of career paths. Working with genetically modified crops or being involved in trade and business negotiations allows graduates to use some of the skills they've developed as a result of their degrees.

A slightly different career path for agriculture graduates would be the opportunity for them to work in print or broadcast journalism. Working for a magazine related to agriculture and farming, or as a reporter for the industry or even in public relations allows graduates to use their knowledge of the industry to write or broadcast relevant stories to audiences.

A career as a food scientist gives individuals the opportunity to maintain and improve the quality of products and create new ones by being involved in research and experimentations with different combinations.

Agriculture and horticulture are closely linked, and another career option available to graduates is as a horticulturist, which requires people to use their skills and experience to grow and sell fruits, flowers and vegetables.

How has agriculture changed over the years and what does this mean for graduates?

As technology evolves rapidly and continues to advance, there's more opportunity for graduates than ever before. In fact, the industry has begun to change rapidly, and farmers are now more connected than ever and are using innovative ways of working by adopting and utilising new equipment.

The rapid uptake of new technologies means that new techniques are continually being developed and adopted. The focus on genetically engineered foods has already begun, with the hope that scientists can create long-term solutions. It's hoped that this will allow farmers to have access to crops that can produce more and have reduced dependency on pesticides.

There are also opportunities for graduates to get hands-on with specialised technology including robots. We've already seen autonomous crops, which are grown remotely, and this technology will continue to be developed for use on farms and in the agricultural industry. This means that there will be a requirement for people to have specialist skills and knowledge to use and develop this machinery and to maintain them as well.

With a growing population, the need to focus on agricultural production will continue to be a focus for the industry. As the population grows, so does the demand for food and the amount of it that will be needed. The agricultural industry needs to keep up with the growing demands of society so that they can continue to grow corn, wheat and rice for use in food production.

Agriculture is the fastest growing subject in the UK

The rush to study agriculture has seen rapid growth in recent years, with more than 19, 000 people studying it and subjects that are closely related to it.

Degrees in agriculture are diverse, and graduates often go beyond the farm and gain employment in food retail or supply, as well as research and technology. These opportunities are available to graduates in the UK, but also beyond and graduates can take their skills abroad to work in the industry in a different country.

Around 95% of students who graduate from a degree in agriculture find employment within six months of completing their course but the UK is currently lacking workers who have the vital agronomic skills that are needed for modern farming to be successful.

Britain is globally renowned for the quality of its agricultural research, which has a global impact on the industry. There have been many breakthroughs as a result of this research, which has earned Britain the reputation as a world leader when it comes to farming and agriculture.

With so much investment in the industry, there has never been a better time to study a subject in agriculture at university, which will equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to help them succeed in their career.

The growing demand for talented individuals to fill agricultural jobs looks set to continue, and with a focus on how technology can be used and developed to help the industry grow, there's more opportunity than ever to secure a rewarding career in agriculture.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/mar/31/agriculture-uk-fastest-growing-subject-career-student-farmers

http://www.studyin-uk.in/blog/agriculture-is-the-fastest-growing-subject-in-uk/

If you are looking to progress your career, Agricultural Recruitment Specialists are specialists in agricultural, food, farming and rural recruitment and have a variety of executive and management positions available within agriculture, horticulture and the food and rural sectors throughout the UK and the rest of the world. To find out more about our agricultural job vacancies and discuss your future career, contact our team of agricultural recruitment professionals. You can visit our website here: www.agriRS.co.uk or call our team on: 01905 345 155 or email us at: info@agriRS.co.uk

Alternatively, if you are a client looking to expand your team, whilst using a professional recruitment / headhunting solution, then please call us today on 01905 345155 or email us at: info@agriRS.co.uk