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The Big Picture
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 Employment
opportunities for U.S. college graduates with expertise
in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system are
expected to remain strong during the next five years. We expect
slightly more than 52,000 annual job openings for new graduates
during 2005-2010, and some 49,300 qualified graduates available
each year for these positions.
Annually, an average of approximately 32,300 new graduates from
U.S. colleges of agriculture and life sciences, forestry, and
veterinary medicine are expected to take jobs in the system.
Other job openings will be filled by some 17,000 qualified graduates
from allied higher education programs such as biological sciences,
engineering, business, health sciences, communication, and applied
technologies.
Four major factors will define the market for graduates during
2005-2010:
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Consumers and their preferences |
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Evolving business structure in the U.S. food system |
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New developments in science and technology |
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Public policy choices and food system security |
You'll find most opportunities in management and business, where
graduates can expect more openings than qualified applicants.
Graduates also can expect a large number of positions in scientific
and engineering specialties. They'll find specialized niche
opportunities in agricultural and forestry production. Ample
qualified graduates are forecast for positions in education,
communication, and governmental services.
New graduates can expect the best opportunities in:
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sales and marketing |
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specialty crops production |
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veterinary medical specialties |
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food and nutrition services |
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food safety and biosecurity |
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environmental science and management |
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forest ecosystem management |
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food system nanotechnologies |
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precision agriculture technologies |
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plant and animal inspection |
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biomaterials engineering |
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consumer information technologies |
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landscape and horticultural crops |
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animal health care and well-being |
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plant and animal genetics |
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