ANIMAL SCIENCE IN A NEW ERA
FOR OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE SUCCESS
That ’ s the title of a new Careers Brochure , just off press , which I authored for the American Society of Animal Science . Some pertinent excerpts from this publication follow .
• Why Go To College ? Practical young people go to college for three primary reasons : m 1 . Because in many cases a college degree is a requisite to getting a position . There are fewer unskilled agricultural jobs ; more positions for managers , technicians , and scientists . 2 . Because it increases earning power . As a result , they can enjoy a higher standard of living and some of the finer things of life . Indeed , a college education is a big key to financial success .
$ 247,000
Finished Finished GRADE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL
$ 293,000
$ 41 7 , 000
1-3 YEARS of COLLEGE COLLEGE
In a lifetime , and on the average , here is what you can expect to earn . l
3 . Because most people like to do some good in the world . Certainly everyone wants to make money ; and there ’ s no doubt that a college education is most helpful from this standpoint . But a college education also enhances those things of the spirit and intellect that do not wear dollar marks — the pure enjoyment from living and the enlarged contribution to society . Generally speaking those who command respect as leaders , and whose . lives are fullest and most productive , are college graduates .
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• Career Opportunities in Animal Agriculture
Of course , there are many good and interesting Pro _ fessions . In fact , one of the most cherished heritages of American youth is the opportunity to choose a profession — then build it into a life career . In reaching this decision , two primary considerations are im portant : ( 1 ) a knowledge of various fields , and ( 2 ) an evaluation of one ’ s ability , aptitude , and interests .
Animal agriculture is scientific , specialized , mechanized , and industrialized . It provides job opportunities in many areas . There are actually more than 500 distinct occupations in Animal Agriculture , two-thirds of which are in businesses and industries closely related to agriculture rather than on the farm .
• Why Take Animal Science ? In a nutshell , here ’ s the answer : The opportunities are great . More specifically , here are some facts to
ponder : 1 . The demand for graduates exceeds the supply .
The nation ’ s colleges are graduating only about 4,700 agriculturalists each year , whereas it is estimated that we need at least 25,000 new , welltrained people annually ; thus there are more than five jobs awaiting each agricultural graduate . Some Animal Science departments report a wider gap — with ratios of 8-10 to 1 .
Despite the fact that 4 out of 10 people gainfully employed in the United States are making their living from agriculture , only 1 per cent of the 460 , - 000 bachelor ’ s degrees conferred annually is in agriculture . 2 . There is a suitable job for every conceivable interest . Many challenging opportunities have mushroomed around Animal Agriculture . In fact , there are approximately 500 distinct occupations in the 7 fields of production , agribusiness , education , agriservices , research , communication , and conservation . 3 . There are good opportunities for urban students . It is estimated that slightly more than half of the students in colleges of agriculture come from nonfarm homes . Their interest and aptitude count more toward success in Animal Science than farm background . This is so because of the varied opportunities in it . Of course , for the production assignments , farm experience is very helpful ; and for certain other assignments it gives a running start . But for many of the positions in agribusiness , research , communication and teaching it is of little consequence .
Students from urban areas can add to their experience through summer placement and part-time work on the college farm — and , too , they will be
earning while learning . 4 . It draws on all the sciences . Because the field
is so diversified , there is a need for all the sciences . As a result , students entering the field may specialize in any one of a number of the sciences *— biochemistry , genetics , physiology , pathology , microbiology , zoology , entomology , animal behavior , food technology and others .
# Ifc Requires College Training
Thomas Jefferson , farmer of Monticello and apostle of democracy , gave a fitting answer to the above question 150 years ago . Said he , " He who qualifies
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VOICE of the Tennessee . ing Horse