IntroductionThe agricultural science program is designed for students interested in production agriculture, farm management, or a teacher education program that leads to a vocational-technical teaching certificate at the secondary level. Students may elect to focus on animal or plant agriculture. Coursework emphasizes areas such as Life and Physical Sciences, Animal Science, and Plant Science.
Agricultural Science offers many career pathways based on your individual areas of interest. There are opportunities in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sector. While many Agricultural Science graduates work in related occupations, others choose fields which do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choice, increase your marketability to employers through internships, related work/volunteer experiences, good grades, advanced coursework, and college activities.
A Sample of Related OccupationsAgricultural Engineer | Extension Agent/Specialist | Park Ranger |
| Agronomist | Farm Business Manager | Pharmacologist |
| Animal Breeder | Farm Manager | Physical Therapist |
| Animal Control Officer | Farm Technician | Physician Asst. |
| Animal Health Technician | Farmer Health Inspector | Plant Sanitation Specialist |
| Animal Shelter Manager | Herds Specialist | Product Manager |
| Artificial Insemination Tech. | Horse Trainer | Quality Control Specialist |
| Biologist | Horticulturalist | Research Asst. |
| Biology Teacher | Immunologist | Research Investigator |
| Chemist | Industrial Hygienist | Safety Specialist |
| Clinical Researcher | Kennel Owner | Sales Representative |
| Conservation Officer | Laboratory Animal Researcher | Science Teacher |
| Dairy Herd Improvement Asst. | Laboratory Technician | Veterinarian |
| Education Curator | Naturalist | Veterinary Asst. |
| Embryo Transfer Technician | Nutritional Consultant | Writer |
| Environmental Specialist | Nutritionist | Zookeeper |
Types of Employers| Private & Nonprofit Organizations |
| Animal Breeders | Farms | Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Firms |
| Animal Shelters | Feed Manufacturers | Research Foundations |
| Dairy Industry | Golf Courses | Zoos |
| Educational Institutions | Hospitals and Veterinary Hospitals | |
| Environmental Companies | Humane Societies | |
| Government Agencies |
| Agricultural Marketing Service | Farm Credit Administration | Foreign Agricultural Service |
Agricultural Research Service | Farm Service Agency | National Agricultural Library |
| Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service | Fish and Wildlife Service | National Institute of Food and Agriculture |
| Bureau of Land Management | Food and Drug Administration | National Resources Conservation Service |
| Centers for Disease Control | Food and Nutrition Service | State Department of Agriculture |
| County Health Department | Food and Safety Inspection Service | NJ State Department of Health |
| Department of the Interior | Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services | Peace Corps |
| Extension Services | | |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Veterinary Associate | Ogilvy & Mathez Direct, Account Supervisor/Partner |
| Burlington County Health Dept., Environment Specialist | Pfizer, Inc., Professional Medical Representative |
| CIGNA Corp., Senior Group Benefits Specialist | PL Crafts, Jr., Gardener |
| Co-owner, Green Path Landcare | Purdue University, Agricultural Education Graduate Student (M.Ed) |
| Delaware Valley College, Greenhouse Worker | Salvation Army World Services, Program Manager |
| East Jersey State Prison, Teacher of Horticulture | Self Employed, Real Estate |
| Hackettstown High School, Teacher of Agriculture | Sheavon Environmental Design, Landscape Foreman |
| Lamington River Farms, Fiddler's Elbow C.C., Asst. Golf Course Superintendent | The Sulphur Institute, Supervisor, Agronomist |
| McCall & McCall, Landscape Architect | University of Massachusetts, Dept. of Plant & Soil Science, Research Asst. |
Additionally, you may:
