University of Connecticut Career Opportunities in Animal Science

A career in animal science makes you part of the biggest industry in the world! U.S. agriculture alone is a $135 billion business, and animal agriculture is the biggest component of U.S. agriculture, employing large numbers of animal science graduates. Over 20% of the New England population are employed in agriculture and the animal-related business in Connecticut represents a revenue well in excess of $350 million per year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently completed a survey and predicted that there would be a 10-15% shortage of college graduates to fill the jobs in agriculture-related fields. For this reason employment opportunities for agricultural scientists are expected to be excellent.

Today's animal science graduates go on to challenging careers in a large variety of different fields. Many fill positions in animal production. These opportunities require technical, personnel, and management training and can lead to jobs in livestock, poultry, egg and dairy units as well as horse farms, zoos, pet animal breeders and other related industries. Additional career opportunities exist in agribusiness, technical service, teaching, veterinary science and laboratory animal care.

Graduates are in demand to provide information on the availability of farm products (e.g. feed, equipment, etc.) and to formulate nutrition and health programs that lead to the efficient production of healthy animals. Others pursue careers in food processing and areas as different as Cooperative Extension, journalism, quality control and the inspection and grading of meat, milk and eggs.

Animal scientists with a background in molecular biology, microbiology or genetics are in demand for laboratory work in universities and the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Furthermore, with additional education and graduate degrees, more opportunities in research, teaching, extension and veterinary medicine become available.

Other growing segments in the animal marketplace are the increased use of companion animals (horses, cats & dogs) for pleasure, health support and recreation and the use and care of laboratory animals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut is at your disposal. They provide counsel on choosing the right career; help students write their resumés and assist students in finding a job through career fairs, job announcements and the alumni career network.

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