It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 Mississippians work in the agriculture industry, that’s 29% of the state’s entire workforce working either directly or indirectly in our number one industry – AGRICULTURE. This $7.72 billion industry delivers a wide range of products/crops to the world, ranging from poultry/eggs and soybeans to cotton and catfish. (Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce)
The first step in landing one of these agriculture jobs is completing your degree. Typically, you’ll need either a 2-year or 4-year degree, regardless of what agriculture career you’re considering. Here’s a closer look at the possibilities.
Are you interested in science?
Agricultural science is the study of everything from biological processes (plants and animals) to the economic aspects involved in growing, marketing, and distributing agricultural products. If you’re interested in producing food – you can target your degree toward farm production or animal health. Want to pave new paths in food science, genetically enhanced foods, or soil conservation? Focus more on the science aspect of the degree. And if you love agriculture, but want to keep your hands a little cleaner, you can study the business/economics of farming, agricultural journalism, and much more. Here are just a few of the areas in which you can concentrate your degree in agricultural science:
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Botany
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Animal Science
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Waste Management
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Natural Resources/Conservation
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Environmental Science
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Microbiology
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Food Science
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Entomology
Employers need people like you
With your degree in agriculture, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to perform a wide variety of jobs and to improve agriculture for farmers and consumers around the world. Employers need people who understand the marketing, economics, and engineering aspects of agriculture. They are also looking for people to manage agricultural businesses and work in labs. And don’t forget about getting goods to market, employers also need people to promote agricultural products, expand global agricultural interests, and even lobby the government on behalf of the industry.
You’ll have a bright future
The best position to be in is to have knowledge and skills that are in demand, and with an agricultural science degree, you will definitely be in demand.
According to AgHires.com, the number of students seeking agricultural science degrees continues to increase, but it still cannot keep pace with the number of available jobs in agribusiness, agricultural science, and food science. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that careers in the agricultural industry will grow 7% from 2018 – 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations. All this is great news for people with agricultural degrees.
Here are just a few examples of the careers you might pursue
You can search for current agricultural job openings in Mississippi at AgCareers.com
Where to get your agricultural science degree
With agriculture being the number one industry in Mississippi, it’s not surprising there are so many public colleges and universities that offer agricultural science degrees.
Alcorn State University
East Mississippi Community College
Hinds Community College
Holmes Community College
Itawamba Community College
Jackson State University
Jones County Junior College
Meridian Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi State University
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Reap the rewards of C2C
The good news for you – every one of the schools on that list is also part of the Complete 2 Compete (C2C) program. Through the C2C program, you can finish earning your degree and improve your outlook for the future. A degree can help you advance farther in your current career, or even start a new career – like, perhaps, in agriculture.
Get started today
C2C provides resources and support to help Mississippi adults – who have previously earned credits but no degree – go back to college and complete their degrees. You receive the expert guidance of a C2C Coach who will support you through every step of the process – from enrollment through to the minute you walk across that stage.
Contact C2C today and find out how close you are to completing your degree.