ANIMAL SCIENCE

What can I do with this degree?

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
FARM RANGE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Livestock Production Farm and ranch operations Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort
Beef and Dairy Cattle, Swine, Poultry, Sheep, Feed companies and operations being in close proximity with large and small
Horses Meat and dairy processors animals.
Livestock Feed Processing plants Gain work experience in area of interest through
Production, Development, Quality Control, Inspection services internships, summer jobs or part-time work.
Distribution/Marketing Extension services Minor in business if interested in management or self-
Meat and Dairy Foods Government agencies including: employment.
Production, Development, Quality Control, U.S. Department of Agriculture Participate in related clubs and competition teams.
Distribution/Marketing Food and Drug Administration Become familiar with federal job application procedure
for government work.

AGRIBUSINESS
Sales Agribusinesses: livestock and feed Obtain relevant experience through internships.
Livestock Pharmaceutical companies Earn a minor in business.
Feed Equipment and supply companies Must be highly motivated and well organized.
Pharmaceuticals Food and meat processing companies Proven leadership abilities are desirable. Join related
Agriculture Chemicals Animal health firms student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Livestock Supplies Breed organizations Develop a strong commitment to customer
Equipment: Farm and Feedlot Food distributors satisfaction.
Management Financial institutions Practice excellent communication skills, written and
Marketing Livestock publications oral.
Public Relations Professional associations, e.g. National Develop computer skills especially with spreadsheet,
Customer Service Cattlemen's Beef Association presentation and database software.
Learn to work well both on a team and individually.
Join related clubs and become active with competition
teams.
(Animal Science, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

EDUCATION
Teaching Schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary) Obtain teacher certification for elementary and
Non-classroom Education Extension services secondary school positions.
Extension Agricultural agencies Secure masters or doctoral degree for post-
Agricultural communications and media firms secondary teaching or other advanced positions.
Agribusinesses Exercise strong interpersonal skills.
Government agencies Practice excellent written and verbal communications
skills.
Gain related experience through volunteer positions,
summer jobs, or internships.
Learn to work well with all types of people.
Seek leadership roles in student organizations.
Become familiar with federal job application
procedure for government work.
Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension
positions.

VETERINARY MEDICINE
Areas of Specialization Group or private practice Research veterinary programs, take pre-vet courses to
Small Animal Care Federal government including: meet veterinary school requirements, and prepare
Large Animal Care Department of Agriculture for application process.
Food Safety Department of Health and Human Services Maintain an excellent grade point average.
Preventative Medicine State and local government Gain experience through volunteer positions, part-time
Surgery Colleges of veterinarian medicine jobs, or summer work. Consider working as a
Public Health Medical schools Veterinary Technician.
Laboratory Animal Medicine Research laboratories Secure strong recommendations from professors.
Research Animal food companies Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort
Inspection Inspection services being in close proximity with large and small
Pharmaceutical companies animals.
Zoos Exercise close attention to detail.
Wildlife sanctuaries Practice strong interpersonal skills.
Gain extensive laboratory and research experience for
research positions.
Obtain internships at zoos or other wildlife
sanctuaries.
Become active in pre-vet and other related clubs.
(Animal Science, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Research Government and corporate laboratories Advanced degrees are often required in these
Product and Process Development Colleges and universities positions.
Genetics and Animal Breeding Livestock producers Earn post-graduate certification through the Animal
Animal Nutrition/Health/Disease Control Zoos Certification Technician Board.
Animal Behavior, Training and Caretaking Wildlife sanctuaries Gain extensive laboratory and research experience by
working in faculty laboratories through special
problems courses, as a student employee, or
through other departmental programs.
Supplement curriculum with additional science
courses in relevant areas (e.g. genetics, animal
behavior, microbiology)
Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort
being in close proximity with large and small
animals.
Become familiar with federal job application procedure
for government work.
Gain work experience in area of interest through
internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time work.

QUALITY CONTROL
Livestock Feed Inspection Government Agencies including: Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills and comfort
Harvest Operation Inspection Food and Drug Administration being in close proximity with large and small
Meat and Dairy Inspection U.S. Department of Agriculture animals.
Inspection services Become familiar with federal job application
Farm and ranch operations procedure for government work.
Gain work experience in area of interest through
internships, summer jobs, or part-time work.
Join student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Participate in competition teams.
Practice strong interpersonal skills.
Exercise close attention to detail.
(Animal Science, Page 4)

GENERAL INFORMATION
• As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
• Participate in research programs and internships sponsored by government organizations and private corporations.
• Consider a certificate program or specialized master’s program to qualify for research technician positions.
• Earn master’s degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job. Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high
levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
• Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
• Combine an undergraduate degree with a degree in law, business, education, communication and information science, or other discipline to expand career
opportunities.
• Consider earning an MBA after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of agribusiness management.
• The animal sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, and veterinary science, but professional degrees
and licenses are also necessary to practice in these fields. Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of
interest.
• Join professional associations and community organizations and read related journals to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking
contacts.
• Actively participate in student organizations, competition teams, research laboratories, and other related activities.
• Secure strong relationships and personal recommendations from professors and/or employers.
• Learn federal, state, and local government job application process. The federal government is the largest employer of scientists.
• Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising techniques. Often research must be funded in this manner.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2006)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer