Notes

Agribusiness Systems workers include:
buying and selling agricultural products like corn, wheat, or milk.
hiring and supervising workers.
researching, studying, and experimenting in a laboratory.
teaching and advising people about how to run farms and households.
negotiating and communicating with customers and coworkers.
using computers to track supplies and record information.
organizational skills to keep track of tasks and information such as customer information and orders.
creative thinking skills to create new solutions and ideas for ways to produce and process food.
problem-solving skills to identify and solve problems.
leadership skills to hire and supervise other workers.
teaching skills to help other people learn how to do something such as manage a farm or perform farm tasks.
accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in conducting scientific experiments.
The education and training needed for Agribusiness Systems workers varies depending on the career.
For example, Farm and Home Management Advisors normally have a master’s degree.
Food Scientists and Technologists normally need at least a bachelor’s degree. Some have master’s or doctoral degrees.
Many Farm Labor Contractors and Buyers or Purchasing Agents have only a high school degree or some college or vocational school education.

Power, Structural, and Technical Systems Tasks
Examples of tasks commonly performed in this pathway include:
taking apart and reassembling machinery.
testing and fixing machinery.
driving vehicles.
operating large equipment and machinery.
recording information.
tracking supplies and orders.
communicating with customers and selling products.
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems workers often need a high school degree and some post-secondary education or training.
Parts Salespeople may not need much post-secondary training, but post-secondary training is useful for workers who operate and repair equipment and machinery.
Workers do not normally need a bachelor’s degree, but an associate degree or vocational school degree focused on operating or repairing equipment is helpful. Apprenticeships are also helpful.
Common qualifications for workers in this field include:
problem-solving skills to identify and repair machinery problems.
physical strength and dexterity in manipulating tools and equipment.
accuracy and attention to detail in closely inspecting and carefully repairing equipment.
responsibility in operating heavy equipment and machinery safely and legally.
independence in working alone and staying on task.
knowledge of machines, tools, and parts.
communication skills and professional attitude when interacting with customers.
computer skills to communicate and track information.

Natural Resource Systems
Natural Resource Systems workplaces include forests, parks, mines, quarries, fishing boats, laboratories, and offices.
Some jobs in harvesting natural resources are increasing more slowly than average because of automation, which is the use of machines to do work.
operating heavy machinery and equipment in mines, quarries, and logging operations.
recording information about tree measurements, amount of resources harvested, and more.
supervising and training other workers.
maintaining and repairing machinery.
teaching others about and enforcing rules and regulations.
using tools like shovels and picks.
driving vehicles like trucks.
The education needed for Natural Resource Systems careers varies widely depending on the career. Some workers, such as Foresters, Conservationists, and Park Workers, commonly need a bachelor’s degree. Others may need vocational training, a high school degree, or even less.
Apprenticeships are helpful for certain technical careers such as logging and mining careers.
Some of the more common qualifications include:
communication skills for interacting with coworkers and the public.
teaching and leadership skills for training and supervising others and for teaching the public.
physical strength, coordination, and dexterity for lifting and moving objects in logging, mining, fishing, and more.
accuracy and attention to detail in monitoring environments and operating equipment safely.
reliability in showing up on time and in following safety rules.
independence in working alone and staying focused.

Environmental Service Systems
common Environmental Service Systems workplaces include laboratories, recycling and waste treatment facilities, offices, and trucks.
Most Environmental Service Systems workers work for private companies or for the government.
inspecting facilities and environments for pollution and waste.
teaching about and enforcing environmental rules and regulations.
cleaning up and sorting recycling, waste, and hazardous materials.
using equipment and machinery to treat water and waste.
using laboratory equipment to analyze samples and perform experiments.
training and supervising other workers.
designing processes and tools for preventing and cleaning up pollution and waste.
using computers to make plans and record information.
operating trucks for collecting garbage, recycling, and other waste.
Some of these workers need college-level degrees. For example, Environmental Compliance Inspectors often need a bachelor’s degree, while Environmental Engineers often need a master’s degree.
Others, such as workers who deal with hazardous materials and recycling, may need only a high school degree.
Some post-secondary education, such as vocational school education, is usually helpful.
Common qualifications and skills needed for careers in this pathway include:
knowledge of environmental laws and regulations
critical thinking skills to determine the best approach to designing or organizing a project
problem-solving skills to identify, solve, and prevent environmental problems
accuracy and attention to detail in sorting materials or in designing structures or processes
communication skills and honesty in accurately reporting information
independence in working alone and staying focused
computer skills, particularly for engineering-related careers

Schooling
High school degree: a four-year high school degree or equivalent
Associate degree: a general two-year college-level degree, usually earned at a community college
Bachelor’s degree: a four-year college-level degree with a focus called a major in a specific subject, commonly earned at a college or university
Master’s degree: a two-year advanced, specialized degree earned after a bachelor’s degree
Doctoral degree (also called PhD): an advanced, specialized degree earned after a master’s or bachelor’s degree
Doctor of veterinary medicine degree: an advanced doctoral-level degree in animal medicine
Career college, vocational school, or technical school: a program that is usually one or two years, ending with a certificate, degree, or diploma in a specialized technical field
Apprenticeship or internship: an on-the-job training experience in which the learner works under the direction of an expert; this can occur while the learner is still in school

Job qualifications, such as traits, skills, experience, knowledge, and anything else necessary for job success, are the qualities a person needs in order to succeed in a job. Some common qualifications needed for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources careers include:

physical strength, coordination, and dexterity.
skills in working safely with equipment and machinery, including driving skills.
accuracy and attention to detail.
problem-solving skills.
organizational skills.
skills in communicating with, teaching, and supervising others.
reliability and responsibility.

Full-time jobs require approximately forty hours of work per week. Part-time jobs require less than forty hours per week.
Salaried jobs pay the worker the same amount every week, regardless of how many hours are worked. Hourly jobs pay the worker for time worked, so working more hours means more pay.
Some jobs offer benefits, which are features employers offer in addition to pay such as health insurance to help pay for medical costs and retirement accounts to help employees save money for future retirement.

Plant systems
Some qualifications that are especially important in many Plant Systems careers include:
physical strength, coordination, and dexterity in planting, maintaining, and harvesting plants, and in operating tools and equipment.
accuracy and attention to detail in planting, harvesting, and maintaining plants, and in performing experiments on soil and plants.
reliability in showing up on time and ready to work.
skills in planning and organizing tasks.
teaching and leadership skills for training and supervising other workers.
financial skills in more advanced management careers that require handling budgets and money.

Animal systems
Some Animal Systems careers require extensive post-secondary education. For example, an Animal Scientist may need a doctoral degree, while a Veterinarian needs a doctor of veterinary medicine degree.
A Zoologist or an Aquacultural Manager may need a master’s or bachelor’s degree. Veterinary Technicians may need an associate degree.
Other Animal Systems workers, such as Trainers and Caretakers, may need a high school degree or less.
knowledge of animal anatomy and behavior.
patience and determination, particularly in training, observing, and caring for animals.
communication skills in speaking, reading, and writing.
accuracy and attention to detail in monitoring animals, treating them, and recording information about them.
physical strength and coordination to lift, guide, and handle animals and other objects.
problem-solving skills to identify, prevent, or solve problems in animal health and safety.
teaching and leadership skills for training and supervising other workers.
handling money and budgets in more advanced management positions.

Food Products and Processing Systems
Many Food Products and Processing Systems workers do not need post-secondary degrees, but at least a high school degree is usually helpful.
Many workers, such as Graders, Sorters, and Equipment Operators, learn most of the skills they need on the job.
Certain workers, such as Agricultural Inspectors, may need college degrees.
physical strength, coordination, and dexterity in handling equipment and materials.
accuracy and attention to detail in operating and monitoring equipment, and in sorting and classifying products.
reliability in fulfilling obligations.
skills in safely handling tools, equipment, and food products.
honesty in ensuring rules and regulations are followed properly.
efficiency in working quickly and coordinating with other workers.