Career Profiles
Just because you don’t put the seed in the ground doesn’t mean your future career isn’t part of the corn industry. From biotechnology to finance to livestock, corn plays a central role in many different career paths. Professionals from the corn industry share their careers here. Simply choose a field of interest and read the profiles highlighting that person’s career path and advice for college students.
Career Profiles
Agronomy and Plant Sciences
Those in the agronomy field typically hold positions such as crop consultant, sales representative, educator, research scientist and production agronomist. They often work for seed companies, research and extension, government agencies, cooperative services and crop protection companies.
They often specialize in areas such as soil, water, plants, environment, genetics and weed sciences. Common degrees in this field include agronomy, horticulture, biology, or other sciences.
Career Profiles
Agribusiness
Those in the agribusiness sectors typically hold positions such as sales representative, loan officer, commodity merchandiser, operations analyst, insurance adjuster, commodity broker and consultants. They often work for banks and credit companies, trade organizations, insurance companies and consulting firms.
They often specialize in areas such as finance, economics, consumer demand, management, marketing, price analysis and commodity futures. Common degrees in this field include agricultural business, agricultural economics, business, finance and accounting.
Career Profiles
Government and Policy
Those in the government and policy field typically hold positions such as government affairs manager, public policy manager, lobbyist, policy analyst and director of government affairs.
They often specialize in areas such as public policy, law and government. Common degrees in this field include public policy, political science, and law.
Career Profiles
Livestock and Feed Science
Those in the livestock and feed science sectors typically hold positions such as livestock manager, sales representative, livestock buyer, finance and marketing specialist, extension agent, research scientist, market analyst, animal care giver, quality control specialist and veterinarian. They often work for feed companies, processing plants, livestock commodity organizations, animal health firms, private veterinarian practices and product development companies.
They often specialize in areas such as breeding, health, feeding, nutrition, management, processing and management of various animal breeds and species. The pet foods industry is a growing career field within this section as this consumer market continues to expand. Common degrees in this field include animal sciences and industry, feed science and management, food sciences and industry, veterinary medicine and other sciences.
Career Profiles
Marketing and Communications
Those in the communications and marketing sectors typically hold positions such as marketing specialist, editor, news broadcaster, event planner, photographer, director of communications, staff writer, public relations director. They work for a variety of agricultural associations, agribusiness and trade publications, trade organizations and government agencies.
They often specialize in areas such as communications, marketing, public relations, advertising, design, photography, writing and digital media. Common degrees in this field include agricultural communications and journalism, agribusiness, marketing and communications.
Career Profiles
Science and Industrial Uses
Those in the science sector typically hold positions such as production manager, grain elevator, industrial sales engineer, miller, systems engineer and plant manager. They often work for feed and cereal companies, ethanol manufacturers and other industries.
They often specialize in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and agriculture. Common degrees in this field include milling science and management, biology, chemistry, feed science, veterinary medicine and chemical engineering.
Career Profiles
Technology and Precision Agriculture
Those in the technology and innovation sector typically hold positions such as field test analyst, engineer and entrepreneur. They often work for equipment companies, manufacturers and agricultural service providers.
They often specialize in areas such as technological advances, computer software, management and engineering. Common degrees in this field include agricultural economics, agricultural technology, agronomy, business and engineering.
Career Connections
Faculty, staff and club leaders can request a Career Connections event to bring in professionals from the corn industry to engage with their students. Whether you’re looking to open minds in a classroom or at a club meeting, scheduling a Career Connections event can benefit you and your students.
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