Growing Wisconsin Careers Video

Featured Careers:

DAIRY PRODUCER

The Dairy Producer manages the entire dairy operation and may benefit from Technical College and Short-Course programs, as well as a degree from a four-year University. Studies in agriculture, business administration, dairy science, dairy herd management or animal science will be helpful. Dairy producers also need good personal, analytical and communication skills.

Related careers to a Dairy Producer may include:

• A Herdsperson manages the dairy herd. They also define and supervise animal care methods, as well as assist in the development and maintenance of an operational budget. Suggested coursework for a herdsperson includes agriculture, dairy science, animal nutrition, math, business, science and computers. A herdsperson may benefit from an Associate's degree in Dairy Herd Management or a Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
     
• A Milking Technician spends 70-80 percent of their day producing a high-quality product in a milking operation while promoting the well-being of the herd. A milking technician will benefit from coursework in agriculture, biology, chemistry, and dairy science.
   
• A Diversified Livestock Producer specializes in breeding and raising livestock, such as dairy cattle, that will later be returned to a dairy producer. This consists of maintaining records, determining feed rotations, and ensuring the health of the animals. Besides agriculture, a Diversified Livestock Producer needs education in business, economics, math and science, and should possess strong communication, organizational, and computer skills.

CHEESEMAKER

A Cheesemaker adds cultures and enzymes to milk and through the art and science of cheese-making creates new specialty cheeses and varieties. They supervise the production of cheese and the cleaning, sanitation and preparation of equipment. You must complete a Short Course including studies in dairy science and cheesemaking before becoming a licensed cheesemaker. Some also serve as an apprentice under a licensed cheesemaker.

Related careers to a Cheesemaker might include:

• A Biotechnology Lab Assistant is responsible for performing a wide variety of research. This involves conducting laboratory tasks and experiments, making detailed observations, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Studies in agriculture, biology, chemistry, science and math are important, while having analytical, organizational, communication, and decision making skills are necessary.
   
• A Chef's job revolves around creating meals that taste and look great. And there are all kinds of chefs: while cuisine, pastry, and sous (assistant chefs) take care of the cooking, executive chefs spend most of their time planning menus and supervising others. Learning to become a chef includes studies in cooking, nutrition, chemistry, business, accounting, and even some art or design classes. It helps to be passionate about food and full of energy. An Associate's or Bachelor's Degree is required depending on the level you wish to obtain.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

A Product Development Specialist is responsible for managing the research effort on product development. They assist customers with product applications and provide related technical support through customer visits, trade shows and giving technical presentations. A minimum of a Food Science or Food Technology degree is expected with coursework in science, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, bacteriology, math and statistics.

Fields related to a Product Development Specialist are:

• A Quality Control Supervisor inspects and enforces rules and regulations. They focus on items such as health, safety, food, licensing, or finance. Specialized training and licensing is available, and a two-year degree with coursework in agriculture, biology, math, business, and computers is helpful.
   
• A Consumer Information Manager works with customers to determine future project needs, and support product advertising. A degree in Economics or Business is useful, with additional coursework in math and computers. Other necessary skills include oral and written communication, customer service, patience, and basic business principles.

ENGINEER
 
Agricultural Engineers design and develop systems, equipment, and products for agricultural production, food and feed processing, natural resources, conservation, environmental protection and other biological systems. Depending upon your area of interest, a degree in a specific discipline of engineering is essential. Math, agriculture, science, business, drafting and computer studies are important. You also need to be very analytical, organized, dependable, and able to make good decisions under pressure.

Additional careers related to engineering include:

• A Diesel Mechanic repairs and maintains diesel engines used to power buses, trucks, locomotives, machinery, and farm equipment. Certificates are available with course study in mechanics, agriculture, industrial arts and business.
   
• Irrigation Engineers manage irrigated areas to ensure adequate soaking to prevent water waste. A Bachelor's degree with coursework in geography, earth science and horticulture is necessary. Communication, organizational, and analytical skills are important.

PLANT SCIENCE / AGRONOMIST

An Agronomist works with field crop production and soil management to develop higher yields, better crop varieties and higher quality products while maintaining or improving the environment. An Associate's or Bachelor's degree with studies in agriculture, agronomy, biology, physics, math and science is necessary in this field.

Related careers include:

• Environmental Conservationists work primarily for state and local governments to ensure that food, water, and air quality meet governmental standards. A vocational degree studying agriculture, physical and biological science, family and consumer sciences, as well as a state license are required for this job.
   
• A Soil Scientist plans and develops coordinated practices for soil erosion control, moisture conservation, and sound land usage. An Associate's or Bachelor’s degree with coursework in agriculture, biology, earth science, agronomy, and environmental studies is important.
   
• Landscape Architects design residential areas, public parks, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, parkways and industrial park areas. Studying drafting, geometry, horticulture, botany, geography, as you earn your degree is beneficial.

COMPUTER / WEB DEVELOPER

Web Developers work with teams to design and maintain websites for their own company or external clients. They need to stay on top of technological and web related issues, including internet security and server administration. Knowledge of HTML programming is a must, with additional study in other programming languages, graphic design, written communications, and database development and management.

Other careers related to web developers are:

• Computer Software Developers design software for specific needs, goals and tasks which assist businesses in reaching specific goals. A degree in Computer Science with coursework in computer programming, algebra and trigonometry is essential. Other skill sets needed for a successful developer include: mathematical, analytical, general communication, dependable, detail oriented, working well under pressure, and determination.
   
• Computer Specialists work with computer systems, both hardware and software including: system setups, networking, and troubleshooting. Suggested coursework includes computer programming, mathematics, and physics of mechanics. A Computer Specialist will be very technical minded, with strong analytical, technical, organizational, and customer service skills.

DIETITIAN

A Dietitian or Nutrition Counselor plans meals and dietary intake for those in schools, hospitals, daycares and other planned meal situations. They may also be responsible for client consultations, and may conduct research or teach. A dietitian requires a degree in Food Science, Nutrition or Dietetics with coursework in family and consumer science, business, biology, and public health.

There are several related careers including:

• High School Teachers provide educational instruction in a particular area of specialty, and would require a Teaching degree and certification. Coursework includes communication, speech, and specialized classes in your area of interest. Working well with people, patience, and strong organizational skills assist in this career.
   
• Extension Specialists work in a specific area of study; including consumer science, crops or youth development. They usually work in a university or experiment station, and require a Masters certification. You’ll need strong analytical, communications, computer, and customer service skills in this field.
   
• An Animal Nutritionist studies the absorption and effects nutrients have on animal systems andfinds ways to improve or manipulate the nutritive health of animals. A degree with studies in agriculture, animal science, math and computers is the minimum requirement to be an Animal Nutritionist.

VETERINARIAN

Veterinarians are doctors who care for animals by diagnosing illnesses, treating ill and injured animals, vaccinating animals, and providing advice on care and breeding. All states require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree that can be obtained through a Veterinary School after achieving your bachelor's degree.

Careers related to Veterinarians include:

• A Veterinarian Technician is knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, and the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes and in routine laboratory and health care procedures. They are primarily an assistant to a veterinarian and conduct biological research. Studies include agriculture, biology, science and specialized training with certifications available.
   
• An Animal Inspector conducts onsite inspections of animals on farms, feedlots, sale barns, and packing houses. They also identify unhealthy animals not suitable for consumption and assist in regulating health problems associated with meat quality. A certification is available with study in agriculture, biology, science and computers.

BROADCAST COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

Radio/Television Broadcaster produces verbal or pictorial dialogue radio or television. They can also be responsible for writing, editing, and delivery of scripts and other production work. You can obtain a Journalism degree by studying agriculture, English, print and broadcast media, communications and journalism.

Other related careers include:

• Photographers take pictures for recreation or by contracted service. Studies include art, photography, design, business, math, accounting and computers.
   
• A Graphic Designer creates and constructs graphics for use in marketing, computer software, and other illustrative areas. A two- or four-year degree in Arts or Graphic Design is important, while a strong computer skills background is essential.
   
• Public Relations Managers organize and plan events or activities which create positive relationships with the public. Coursework includes English, communications, business, public relations, speech, and marketing.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

People working in International Relations – or Agricultural Attachés assist in developing agricultural government programs and policy abroad through foreign embassy relations. They must understand the customs, language and culture of the country in which they work. A bachelor’s degree or even a Master's degree is common with study in agriculture, communications, foreign language, government and political science. An Attaché must also be willing to travel, fluently speak another language and work well with people.

Related careers in the International Relations field include:

• Export Sales Managers are foreign exchange traders who buy and sell products in different markets. A degree in Economics is important with coursework in agriculture, math, foreign language, and foreign affairs. You must also be a detail-oriented, dependable, and organized person to excel in this field.
   
• Regulatory Agents are responsible for ensuring that groups or individuals follow certain laws and procedures, or adhere to specified uniformity standards. A vocational education or certification training is recommended for this career with general coursework in government, business, math and computers, with additional training for regional applicable laws.

INVESTMENT BROKER

An Investment or Commodity Broker trades products and cash based on stock market and futures projections. A degree in Economics with strong analytical and decision making skills is important.

Related economic careers include:

• An Ag Loan Officer manages, evaluates and distributes loans to farmers, ranchers and other agribusiness people. Business administration, math, computers, accounting, and finance studies are recommended for this career. Customer service and communication skills are also very important as a Loan Officer.
   
• Accountants manage, analyze and control financial accounts. Business and accounting courses along with skills in communication, organization, decision making and basic business principles are valuable.

ATTORNEY

An Agricultural Attorney focuses on laws as applied to an agricultural setting. They provide legal assistance to farmers and other agriculture related businesses. A Law degree and studies in Political Science, or Public Service are required to be an attorney. Being able to work well under pressure, as well as strong presentational, communication, investigative, and negotiating skills are also important.

Careers related to an attorney include:

• Labor Relations Specialists negotiate contracts, including compensation rates, benefits, working conditions, and rate of advancement, between workers and managers. Psychology, sociology, economics, accounting, government and political science classes will help you in this career.
   
• Insurance Agents are responsible for providing insurance opportunities to people for various levels of protection including: life, health, property, crop and livestock, and weather related insurance. Agents should study business, business law, economics, finance, accounting, communications, psychology, and English as they obtain their degree.