Career Corner

Parents play an important role in their students’ futures. Statistically, students look to their parents for career guidance over anyone else. If a young person doesn’t know what they want to do, there are several steps to help get them on a pathway to their dream career. The video below can help students get started. Students should also connect with their guidance counselor for assistance.

This video is based out of the state of Ohio.

Video Credit goes to American Graduate- https://www.cpb.org/americangraduate

• Minnesota ranks #4 in the nation in agricultural production, with $17 billion in agricultural sales per year.
  
• Agriculture added over 4,250 net new jobs from 2007 to 2017, a 25.5% growth rate, compared to a 6.2 percent growth rate across all industries statewide.

• Southern Minnesota accounted for 55% of the state’s market value of agricultural products sold, reaching almost $12 billion.
  
• Well over one-third of this agriculture employment is located in Southern Minnesota. According to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data, Southern Minnesota provides about 15 percent of total jobs in the state, but over 39 percent of the state’s jobs in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.
  
• There is a large number of vacancies and a higher level of demand were also emerging for agriculture-related occupations such as truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists; heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers; and agricultural, biological, chemical, and environmental technicians and engineers.
  

Click on the link below to download Agricultural infographics.

Agriculture Infographics

Check out the Minnesota State Southern Agriculture Center of Excellence website and information on Agriculture career pathways. The image below provides an example of the information you will find on the website.

Don't forget to check out Agriculture Pathways in:

Environmental Systems

Biotechnology

Power, Structural & Technical Systems

Natural Resources

Agribusiness Systems

Animal Systems

Plant Systems

Food Products & Processing Systems

Please click or download the Agriculture Career Pathway Brochure to learn more about Agriculture training programs available at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Remember CAREERwise is a great resources to explore additional career information including typical tasks, working conditions, education requirements, skills and knowledge for the career, wages and outlook and much more!

The Ag Careers websites offers national information on careers profiles in agriculture, a agriculture related job bank and infographics.

The letters “FFA” once stood for Future Farmers of America, but FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA members are future teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners, and more. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, they are still the Future Farmers of America, but, they are also the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.

Check out the Minnesota FFA website to learn more and how to get involved.

2021 Explore STEAgM Day Camp

Agriculture keeps the world fed, provides raw materials, and even fuels your car. Take time to explore how agriculture affects you from your backyard to the supermarket and every step in-between. Hosted in Partnership with the Minnesota Center of Agricultural Excellence this camp takes you on an exploration of Agriculture right here in Mankato. Get your hands dirty as you explore the garden and discover what is growing or roll up your sleeves as you make your own butter. This hands-on experience takes you right into the exciting world of Agriculture.

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WHO: Any Youth Entering the 6th – 9th Grade
WHEN: July 2021 * date not finalized yet
WHERE: Minnesota State University, Mankato and South Central College

Learn more at: https://www.centerofagriculture.org/events/explore-steagm-day-camp

Watch videos about the various careers available in the pork industry, including breeding, farrowing, finishing, technology positions and supporting roles. Click here to view the videos

The video below provides information about the opportunities in Agriculture. While some the facts are based on Canada the career opportunities are the same.

Here are some tips to help students make a great impression when connecting with employers and employees during career events.

• Dress appropriately - this could be your future employer
• Prepare - Review information about the event and what you may like to learn during the career event.
• Practice your introduction or “elevator speech” pitch. Develop a 20-30 second introduction of yourself that includes your name, your skills and accomplishments and what kind of career you’re seeking.
• Ask relevant questions and answer questions clearly and concisely,
• Be yourself! Employers happy to help answer you question.

Develop and Maintain a Quality Workforce for South Central Minnesota

Email: sara@workforcecouncil.org
Website: www.workforcecouncil.org
Location: 706 North Victory Drive, Mankato, MN, USA
Phone: 507-345-2402
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scworkforcecouncil/