Livestock production:
Dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, equine, sheep, goat, poultry
Livestock feed:
Production, development, quality control, distribution/marketing
Meat and dairy foods:
Production, development, quality control, distribution/marketing
Inspection
Farm and ranch operations
Feed companies and operations
Meat and dairy processors
Processing plants
Inspection services
Extension services
Government:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Department of Agriculture
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs or part-time work.
Minor in business if interested in management or self-employment.
Participate in related clubs and competition teams.
Become familiar with federal job application procedures for government work.
Sales
Livestock
Feed
Pharmaceuticals
Agriculture chemicals
Livestock supplies
Equipment: farm and feedlot
Management
Marketing
Public relations
Customer service
Agribusinesses: livestock and feed
Pharmaceutical companies
Equipment and supply companies
Food and meat processing companies
Animal health firms
Breed organizations
Food distributors
Financial institutions
Livestock publications
Professional associations (e.g., National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)
Obtain a part-time job or internship in sales to gain experience, as these positions are often stepping stones to higher-level positions.
Consider earning a business minor to obtain knowledge of fundamental business principles.
Develop excellent communication, organization and problem solving skills along with initiative.
Take additional courses in interpersonal communication, public speaking and journalism.
Prepare to work independently during irregular and/or long hours.
Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
Demonstrate motivation to reach sales quotas while maintaining a commitment to customer satisfaction.
Seek extensive knowledge of merchandise for sale.
Join related student organizations and competition teams and seek leadership roles.
Schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary)
Extension services
Agricultural agencies
Agricultural communications and media firms
Agribusinesses
Government:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Department of Agriculture
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
National Science Foundation
Teaching
Non-classroom education
Extension
Develop excellent communication skills including verbal, written and interpersonal.
Obtain teacher certification, which varies by state, for public school opportunities.
Secure master’s degree for teaching at community or two-year institutions; a doctoral degree is necessary for college and university teaching.
Gain related experience through volunteer positions, summer jobs or internships with age group of interest.
Seek leadership roles in student organizations. Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension positions.
Areas of specialization
Small animal care
Large animal care
Food safety
Preventative medicine
Surgery
Public health
Laboratory animal medicine
Research
Inspection
Group or private practice
State and local government
Colleges of veterinarian medicine
Medical schools
Research laboratories
Animal food companies
Inspection services
Pharmaceutical companies
Zoos
Wildlife sanctuaries
Government:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Department of Agriculture
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Research veterinary programs, take pre-vet courses to meet veterinary school requirements, and prepare for application process.
Maintain an excellent grade point average.
Gain experience through volunteer positions, part-time jobs, or summer work. Consider working as a Veterinary Technician.
Secure strong recommendations from professors.
Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
Exercise close attention to detail.
Practice strong interpersonal skills.
Gain extensive laboratory and research experience for research positions.
Obtain internships at zoos or other wildlife sanctuaries.
Become active in pre-vet and other related clubs.
Prepare to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Vet schools can require either test.
Research
Biomedical animal models
Animal genetic engineering and animal breeding
Animal nutrition, health, disease control food science
Product and process development
Government laboratories
Corporate laboratories
Colleges and universities
Livestock producers breeding firms
Pharmaceutical companies
Animal health companies
Zoos
Wildlife sanctuaries
Advanced degrees are often required for these positions. Discuss graduate school options with your adviser on a regular basis; prepare material for application process.
Pursue extensive laboratory and research experience by working in faculty laboratories through special problems courses, as a student employee or through other departmental programs.
Develop strong attention to detail, analytical skills and the ability to persevere through specialized research projects.
Supplement curriculum with additional science courses in relevant areas (e.g., genetics, animal behavior, microbiology).
Seek experience in area of interest through intern- ships, co-ops or summer or part-time work.
Plan to work outdoors and closely with small and large animals for some positions.
Research post-graduate certification options through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
Learn federal job application procedures.
Behavior/Training caretaking
Grooming
Breeding
Animal assisted therapy
Kennels
Boarding facilities
Shelters
Self-employed
Training facilities
Grooming facilities
Rescue organizations
Humane societies
City/County animal control organizations
Breed organizations
Veterinary practices
Stables
Zoos
Research facilities
Most people employed in the companion animal industry learn through on the job.
Seek volunteer or paid positions in community facilities (e.g., grooming, rescue, and boarding.)
Consider training and certifications through organizations such as International Boarding and Pet Services Association and National Dog Groomer’s Association of America.
Expect to work evenings, weekends, holidays and for shifts of 24 hours at a time.
Develop physical stamina, patience and problem- solving skills, particularly for training.
Animal assisted therapy opportunities are typically seek trainer/pet handling courses through organizations such as Delta Society.
Research post-graduate certification via the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) for laboratory animal care positions.
Livestock feed inspection
Harvest operation inspection
Meat and dairy inspection
Government:
Food and Drug Administration
Department of Agriculture
Inspection services
Farm and ranch operations
Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort being in close proximity with large and small animals.
Become familiar with federal job application procedures for government work.
Gain work experience in area of interest through internships, summer jobs, or part-time work.
Join student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Participate in competition teams.
Practice strong interpersonal skills.
Exercise close attention to detail.
As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
Participate in research programs and internships sponsored by government organizations and private corporations.
Consider a veterinary technician or technologist program accredited by the American Veterinary medical Association (AVMA) or a specialized master’s program to qualify for research technician positions.
Earn master’s degree for greater variety and autonomy on the Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
Combine an undergraduate degree with a degree in law, business, education, communication and information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.
Consider earning an MBA after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of agribusiness management.
The animal sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, and veterinary science, but professional degrees and licenses are also necessary to practice in these fields. Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of interest.
Join professional associations and community organizations and read related journals to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
Actively participate in student organizations, competition teams, and other related activities.
Secure strong relationships and personal recommendations from professors and/or employers.
Learn federal, state and local government job application The federal government is the largest employer of scientists.
Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising. Often research must be funded in this manner.