NORTH FLORIDA
Well-known member
Anyone with a suggestion on what's in demand? I am looking at Auburn or UF. What's the job market like?
Ag Degree
- Thread starter NORTH FLORIDA
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Right now the demand in Oklahoma is for Agriculture Education Teachers. Still several openings around the state available. It is the 2nd or 3rd highest paying major in OSU's school of agriculture. It looks like the demand will be there for a few years as about 50% of the teachers will be eligible for retirement in the next 3 years.
NORTH FLORIDA
Well-known member
I know people starting out have to pay their dues but I'm interested in area's that are over $50000.00 a year.
NORTH FLORIDA
Well-known member
I know people starting out have to pay their dues but I'm interested in area's that are over $50000.00 a year.
Major in Ag. Ed. Or Ag Econ. The previous post told you information about Ag Ed. Ag Econ is a Business degree. You can get a job anywhere, about 80% of Ag. Econ students take jobs out side of Ag. Now if you are like me and have a high interest in Ag, there are plenty of jobs out there, but for some reason you can't find a job, you can get a job out side of Ag. An Ag. Econ degree is worth just the same as a Business degree from the College of Business. Best of Luck!
War Eagle!!
War Eagle!!
mdmdogs3
Well-known member
Auburn_Ag":3tkf9sj6 said:
Careful -
I graduated with an Ag Econ degree and I had a heck of a time finding a job -
I didn't have a farm background - the ag people didn't like that
I had an ag degree - the business people didn't like that...
but it was 20 years ago and the job market has changed...
just keep your eyes and ears open - Good Luck ;-)
IF you want $50,000 plus forget Ag Ed. My aged mother has been teaching for ~20 years. Bachelor degree, teaching credentials, masters degree, ed specialist, "HIghly Qualified" under 'No Child Left Behind' and she just is in the $50s and Mother is one of the highest paid teacher's in her school (why they want her too retire). Maybe some other states have more money too throw around; but education in general is good steady employment. It doesn't really pay.....unless you can coach football.
Back when I got out, the big money was in pharmaceutical sales. Merck was offering $50,000 (I didn't have the communication skills or the temperment to push Ivomec all over Montana so didn't apply). I don't know if those sales opportunities are still there or not.
The corporate world in general is where the money is. I missed a promotion at the hog company that would have set me up nicely (because I couldn't speak Spanish); but most (like me) eventually get chewed up in the politics of it all and never make that next step into the upper echelon of corporate farm management and the real money.
You might want to look at Large Animal Vet. A couple of the vet professors I worked with for four years were begging me to apply. I didn't see how four more years of school would have penciled out then. As a whole generation of Large Animal Vets head toward retirement and there are few if any capable young large animal vets to take their place, it looks to me like a good Large Animal Vet ought to be able to make $50,000 pretty easily if he actually knows Horses and cows and if most young vet grads continue to be pretty girls with a fascination with dogs and cats.
One word of warning though......at a recent Cattleman's meeting our new State Prez said that they and the NCBA were working towards moving beyond veterinarians. They have given up on recruiting kids to go to school for 8 years and they want to license non-degree Vet techs to do all the actual work of a vet under the loose direction of a vet back at the home office. A lot of old cowboys like me will get that certificate just so we don't have to run through hoops on getting meds and so we can make a few bucks on the side....preg checking, dehorning, vaccinating, pulling calves, and doing c-sectionss I don't know if that has a chance or not of passing the U.S. Congress; but you might want to find out which way the political winds are blowing before making any decision there.
Back when I got out, the big money was in pharmaceutical sales. Merck was offering $50,000 (I didn't have the communication skills or the temperment to push Ivomec all over Montana so didn't apply). I don't know if those sales opportunities are still there or not.
The corporate world in general is where the money is. I missed a promotion at the hog company that would have set me up nicely (because I couldn't speak Spanish); but most (like me) eventually get chewed up in the politics of it all and never make that next step into the upper echelon of corporate farm management and the real money.
You might want to look at Large Animal Vet. A couple of the vet professors I worked with for four years were begging me to apply. I didn't see how four more years of school would have penciled out then. As a whole generation of Large Animal Vets head toward retirement and there are few if any capable young large animal vets to take their place, it looks to me like a good Large Animal Vet ought to be able to make $50,000 pretty easily if he actually knows Horses and cows and if most young vet grads continue to be pretty girls with a fascination with dogs and cats.
One word of warning though......at a recent Cattleman's meeting our new State Prez said that they and the NCBA were working towards moving beyond veterinarians. They have given up on recruiting kids to go to school for 8 years and they want to license non-degree Vet techs to do all the actual work of a vet under the loose direction of a vet back at the home office. A lot of old cowboys like me will get that certificate just so we don't have to run through hoops on getting meds and so we can make a few bucks on the side....preg checking, dehorning, vaccinating, pulling calves, and doing c-sectionss I don't know if that has a chance or not of passing the U.S. Congress; but you might want to find out which way the political winds are blowing before making any decision there.
Jogeephus
Well-known member
NORTH FLORIDA":3b4t5q1u said:
If I interviewed you, I would be thinking several things. First, at $50,000 I'm going to have to match $10,000 in taxes to pay you that. Second, I'm going to have to split your insurance costs which will be at least another $2,400 per year. Third, I'd have to provide you with a company truck, insurance and gas. Assuming you are not going to joy ride on the weekends and burn up company fuel, this will cost me another $10,000 per year. So right now, I'm going to have to spend $72,400 to hire you.
My second question is, (and I know this is true) right out of school you don't know diddly. If I teach you and invest my money in you - will you stay so I can recoup my investment in you? Statistics say NO.
My third question is, are you worth it to me? Not saying you are not a good person, or you didn't make good grades. I'm saying will you earn me at least 20% or better on my investment in you? What sets you apart from the many people who I can hire that have a proven track record for less?
Not trying to be negative just realistic. Good luck.
hillsdown
Well-known member
Move to Alberta and get a job with an oil company they are always looking for specialists in that area.50,000 would probably low for starting.
NORTH FLORIDA
Well-known member
What about jobs in Forestry or Fisheries?
I would stick with Ag. I hate to be a pessimist; BUT I struggled like all heck to get the planted pines on my place thinned. Pulpwood wasn't bringing diddly last year and is worse this year. The problem is the environmental whack jobs. It is just about impossible too site a new paper mill in the states and it is hard to keep the old plants in compliance with all the regs and they stay in court for supposed violation of the draconian environmental laws. The smart money is moving too Brazil. The big timber companies are slowly and methodically selling down their high priced U.S. assetts and are moving south. International Paper has 417 acres near me they have been begging somebody to buy for years now and recently have been accepting bids on 13,000 acres in Dallas County.
http://www.landsofalabama.com/Alabama/i ... V_ID=65059
We can still sell lumber trees for good money; BUT it takes two good thinnings to get the lumber and the margins for landowner, logger, and paper company are all slim.
Accord to this link, 2/3s of forestors work for government....
http://diversityworking.com/career/Agri ... ester.html
The fishery biz WAS hopping ten years ago; but NOW they are facing heavy competition from China and Vietnam. I talked our local grocery store manager into switching from Chinese to Alabama catfish at the same price; but Wal-Mart, Sam's, and the big dogs pretty much prefer the Chinese. Vietnam also has a lot more variety of fish and shrimp in their ponds. You add in exhorbitant fuel prices (and they burn a lot of fuel aerating those ponds for those fish) and high grain prices (about all of which has to come from Iowa and Kansas) and I question how many $50,000 kids they need to hire right out of school. Talk to the people actually with the companies for their longterm job outlook. They should know more than me or you.....if they will talk.
http://www.landsofalabama.com/Alabama/i ... V_ID=65059
We can still sell lumber trees for good money; BUT it takes two good thinnings to get the lumber and the margins for landowner, logger, and paper company are all slim.
Accord to this link, 2/3s of forestors work for government....
http://diversityworking.com/career/Agri ... ester.html
The fishery biz WAS hopping ten years ago; but NOW they are facing heavy competition from China and Vietnam. I talked our local grocery store manager into switching from Chinese to Alabama catfish at the same price; but Wal-Mart, Sam's, and the big dogs pretty much prefer the Chinese. Vietnam also has a lot more variety of fish and shrimp in their ponds. You add in exhorbitant fuel prices (and they burn a lot of fuel aerating those ponds for those fish) and high grain prices (about all of which has to come from Iowa and Kansas) and I question how many $50,000 kids they need to hire right out of school. Talk to the people actually with the companies for their longterm job outlook. They should know more than me or you.....if they will talk.
Jogeephus
Well-known member
If you would consider getting outside of traditional ag but want the flexability of an ag type job, take a serious look at environmental engineering. There aren't that many of them and if you need one you've got to pay what ever he bills you. Its pretty much a racket backed by the government but the pay is EXTREMELY good. I had to pay $6000 for a soil sample a few years ago and last year $1000 per acre so I would know that water would run downhill. All this to stay in compliance with the draconian laws. Ever wonder why companies are bailing out - here is one of your reasons.
AG econ with a minor in either AG communications or some type of business/sales oriented education. I have a friend who sells pharmaceuticals in Europe. Making a killing and graduated from the University of Kentucky. Another guy majored in communications and went back to get a degree in horticulture. he is now one of the top landscape designers in New York city. I majored in communications, but had an Agriculture background. I am a loan officer at a community bank with tons of AG business. The point is .....Do what you enjoy that makes you the living that you desire. Money is helpful, but it is not the only thing.
Jogeephus
Well-known member
Good point Suscofa. If you love what you do you will probably be good at what you do and most of the time if you are good at what you do you will be rewarded accordingly.
