74 Setting Students Up for Success in the Agricultural Industry

Abstract

Abstract When asked about future employment goals, many agricultural students express interest in being employed in the industry following graduation. Even though a large number of students have this career path in mind, students are often not prepared for industry roles. The agricultural industry favors employees who have good soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, as it is often required that employees collaborate within a team or connect with clients and colleagues. Nevertheless, these soft skills are often not taught or are not emphasized enough during undergraduate or graduate education as they are often difficult to teach in a classroom setting. International students face unique challenges when seeking employment as industry professionals. Some of these challenges, such as language barriers or social and cultural differences, can make important tasks, like networking, more difficult. There are opportunities for university faculty to assist students wanting to seek employment in the agricultural industry, such as by organizing networking events and establishing industry-focused classes or lectures. Networking in a professional setting is a vital skill for students trying to enter the industry; therefore, providing students with opportunities to practice networking and professional social skills among their peers and superiors is critical. Courses or lectures focused on understanding the industry and its challenges would also be highly beneficial to students, particularly those who do not come from agricultural backgrounds and those that are international. Encouraging students to take part in student organizations and extension events, and to apply for teaching assistant positions for relevant production classes may also contribute to student preparation for industry employment. By providing students with an overall understanding of the agricultural industry and opportunities to improve skills that are relevant for industry positions, faculty members may be able to improve student preparedness for these roles and assist in making students more marketable to individual companies.