# CAREERPREPARATION

**Source**: https://ag.purdue.edu/students/career.html
**Parent**: https://ag.purdue.edu/students/majors.html

# CAREER PREPARATION

[VISIT](https://ag.purdue.edu/students/visit.html)

[APPLY](https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/apply/)

## Find Your Fit

Employer demand for college graduates with degrees and expertise in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment disciplines currently exceeds the number of available graduates. We support Purdue Ag students and recent graduates in exploring these career opportunities and developing strategies to support you in reaching your career goals. With each experience you have at Purdue you'll gain more insight into where you want to go next, and we want to partner with you as you navigate this journey and prepare for your future.  It is our goal to assist you with the tools and the resources that you need as you find your fit.

$54,336 beginning average salary

$3 Million in College Scholarships

91% of graduates employed or continuing their education within six months

$54,336 beginning average salary

$3 Million in College Scholarships

91% of graduates employed or continuing their education within six months

## Career Exploration

Wondering what jobs you might be suited for based on your interests and skills? [Resources](https://www.cco.purdue.edu/Students/CareerCompass) are available to help you assess your current skills and passions that would align with where you would best fit in your future.

[Field Atlas](https://myfieldatlas.com/)

## Career Fairs

The College of Agriculture hosts career fairs in the fall and spring semesters. More than 250 companies attend annually. Students and alumni are provided the opportunity to learn about their organizations, submit resumes and interview for permanent or internship positions.  

Freshman and sophomore students are encouraged to join upper-level students at the career fairs to learn about careers and develop the art of professional conversations very early.  

[Learn More](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/career/students.html)  

## Leadership Development/Networking Opportunities

A great way to learn about possible career paths is to network. Meeting new people and developing your interpersonal skills is an effective way to learn about career options and gain advice for achieving your goals.  

- [MANRRS](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/student-resources/manrrs.html)
- [Learning from Leaders](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/cate/leadership/learning-from-leaders.html)
- [Entrepreneurship & Women in Leadership Panels](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/cate/leadership/entrepreneurship-panel.html)
- [Issues 360](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/cate/issues/issues-360.html)
- [Purdue Ag Alumni Mentoring Program](https://ag.purdue.edu/agalumni/mentoring/alumni-mentoring.html)
- [AFA Leaders Conference](https://www.agfuture.org/)

## Internships

Internships provide a valuable opportunity for students who are wanting to gain hands-on and real-life experience in their field, as well as a discovery process regarding whether or not this field will be a good fit.  

- [Employment & Internship Opportunities](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/career/coa-student-employment.html)
- [Public Policy Internships](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/career/students.html)

[Read our students' internship stories](https://ag.purdue.edu/students/cultivating-the-future.html)

## RESEARCH

Students at Purdue have the opportunity to do research that addresses challenges in many areas that benefit society. Discover first-hand how research contributes to the advancement of human knowledge.  

- [Undergraduate Research](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/cate/research/index.html)
- [Summer College of Agriculture Research Fellowship (SCARF)](https://ag.purdue.edu/department/oap/cate/research/scarf.html)

[Read our students' Research and Summer Program stories](https://ag.purdue.edu/students/fields-of-discovery.html)

> Employer demand for college graduates with degrees and expertise in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment disciplines will exceed the number of available graduates.
>
> - Employment Opportunities for College Graduates, 2020-2025 USDA-NIFA study

[View Study](https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/)

### Alumni Testimonials

CARLY HLEBASKO
Class of 2017

“Purdue and the FNR Department equipped me with a wide variety of skills that have proven useful during my career and that I continue to improve upon every day.” | ***Forestry***

MADDY SCHAIDER
Class of 2022

“I had an internship at Corteva and learned that I loved working in the industry and what kind of degree I need to qualify for my dream job.” | ***Plant Science***

JACOB KLAYBOR
Class of 2018

"An overwhelming number of the courses that I took at Purdue included hands-on experiences that prepared me for a career in the environmental field." | ***Natural Resources & Environmental Science***

MARGARET MORSE
Class of 2022

“I had the opportunity to complete my 11-month internship at a landscape architecture firm in Austin, Texas. I loved working with a diverse team of creatives." | ***Landscape Architecture***

KRISTEN SEQUEIRA
Class of 2018

“I was incredible fortunate to study in Sydney, Australia for a semester. Not many schools put an emphasis on global experience, but Purdue does.” | ***Animal Sciences***

CLARE MCNICHOLAS
Class of 2022

"I had two internships while in college, and both were beneficial in giving me experience in different areas. I would encourage students to step out of their comfort zone with internships to widen their perspectives." | ***Agricultural Engineering***

NIRA GRYNHEIM
Class of 2022

"It's so important to learn how to build relationships with your teachers. Professors are tremendously important as mentors and can provide guidance with research positions, internships and possible job opportunities." | ***Animal Sciences***

LAUREN BUSH
Class of 2021

"Internship experiences are invaluable and our department, particularly our advisors, work closely with students to find the opportunities that will help you explore your field of interest, learn new skills and determine if that’s the right field for you." | ***Agribusiness***

## Contact Us

**Office of Academic Programs**\
**Agricultural Administration Building |****Room 121**\
615 Mitch Daniels Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47907\
**[purdueag@purdue.edu](mailto:purdueag@purdue.edu "purdueag@purdue.edu")** | (765) 494-8470

[Contact Recruitment and Outreach](https://ag.purdue.edu/students/contact.html) [Join our Mailing List](https://apply.purdue.edu/register/?id=df319e66-883d-43e8-939e-751deea655db)

### READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP?

[Visit](https://ag.purdue.edu/students/visit.html)

[Apply](https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/apply/)