University of Connecticut Employment Opportunities

The Pre-Vet/Pre-Grad Animal Science option prepares students to seek post-baccalaureate professional training in graduate programs or colleges of veterinary medicine. After earning M.S., Ph.D. and/or D.V.M. degrees, graduates may consider employment in the following areas:

• Animal Research Technician
• College/University Teaching and Research
• Practicing Veterinarian/Research Veterinarian
• Extension/Adult Education Specialist
• Research Scientist, Research Associate, Senior Scientist
• Food Quality Control/Product Development Scientist
• Administrative/Industry/Leadership Positions
• Commercial Research/Product Development
• Consultants - Veterinarians, Nutritionists, Biotechnologist, Management
• Private Development of Animal Products/Services
• Food Inspectors
• Vocational Agricultural/Post-Secondary Educators
• Molecular Biotechnologist
• USDA Research Centers Faculty
• Genetic Manipulation Specialist
• Animal Care Technician
• Cell Culture Specialist

The Business/Service Animal Science graduates will benefit greatly from Cooperative Education or professional internships as they work under the direction of an industry leader to gain practical experience, earn money and academic credit all at the same time. Internships may be conducted in any Animal Science based industry or firm either nationally or internationally. Some of these positions also require a M.S. degree. Within the next 10 years, students in this option will have an ever increasing number of employment opportunities available to them - largely because of commercialization of new ideas in biotechnology. Today there are more than 750 biotechnology companies in the U.S. of which more than 250 reside in New England, with approximately 25 in Connecticut. Nationally, a shortage of qualified Animal Science graduates is predicted. Graduates will provide a vital link between the work of the professional scientist and the needs of commercial industries involved in the production, processing, distribution and preparation of animal food products.

Typical employment opportunities include:

• Dairy, Meat and Seafood Technical Assistants
• Science Writer/Illustrator
• Quality Control/Processing/Packing of Foods
• Livestock Management Services
• Breed Association Representative/Sales/Promotion
• 4-H Education and Training
• Milk/Feed/Food Testing Services
• Humane Animal Care Services
• Livestock Equipment Representative
• Livestock Investment Firms
• Product Application - Sales and Services
• Inspection/Grading Services for Meat, Milk, Eggs & Wool
• Directors Industry Service Organizations
• Government Regulatory Agencies
• Agriculture Journalist

Production/Management graduates and Equine Science graduates must have technical, management and economic training to be successful in producing food and fiber more efficiently. Fewer, but larger firms will be involved in this highly competitive and exciting aspect of Animal Agriculture. Cooperative Education, professional internships and hands-on experiences, combined with formal classroom instruction, provide an excellent background to gain access into these industries.

Typical employment opportunities are listed below:

• Managers of Stud Farms/Livestock/Poultry Operations
• Herdsperson/Artificial Insemination/Embryo Transfer
• Manage Meat/Poultry/Egg/Milk Processing Plants
• Manage Ranches/Farms/Feedlots
• Manage Research Farms and Facilities
• Laboratory Animal Management
• Manage Livestock Sales/Distribution/Marketing Systems
• Manage Training/Boarding Facilities
• Direct Livestock Associations/Societies
• Individual Proprietor

Food Science provides preparation for employment in the food industry. Students need to secure preparation in biology, chemistry and food science related courses. The food science option provides animal science majors with an opportunity to apply their academic training to the production and processing of food. The food industry is the nation's second largest employer and people are always going to eat. Thus, many employment opportunities exist.

Typical employment opportunities are listed below:

• Quality Control Technician
• Research and development positions associated with flavor chemistry, ingredient technology, lipid and protein chemistry, carbohydrate functionality, and packaging
• Research Microbiologist
• Technical support for sales positions associated with specific products, Food sanitarian/inspector, Federal food grader, Food testing services, HACCP coordinator, Sensory analysis coordinator, Sales of ingredients, products, packaging or equipment

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