Agricultural Economist
Agricultural economists have management-related jobs in agribusiness firms. They use modern analytical management tools to make profitable decisions. Agricultural economists conduct financial analysis, develop marketing plans, and set up optimal production schedules in U.S. and international food and fiber firms. They often begin their careers in management or production operations or as sales representatives, then progressively take on increasing responsibility for decision-making. Most agricultural economists spend a great deal of their work lives analyzing alternative decisions.
Agribusiness firms that provide such things as feed, seed, fertilizer or capital, and those that process and distribute agricultural products, employ agricultural economists. Feed, seed, and fertilizer firms; rural banks; and input cooperatives employ agricultural economists to manage their operations. Many agricultural economists work for wholesale and retail food processing firms.
To become an agricultural economist you need an interest in and ability to make analytical decisions. You need to learn economic theory, mathematics, computer skills, and modern decision-making tools in finance, marketing, and management. Most agribusiness firms require graduates with bachelor's degrees, although some prefer to hire people who have earned master's degrees.
In high school, take advanced courses in mathematics, economics, accounting, and computer skills. Try to get retail or service experience in an agribusiness firm.
-- Kerry Litzenberg, Texas A&M University
