Careers in the Pork

Industry

Rsum
You are a human resources director of a large pork operation.
The operation has an opening for an AI/Breeding Technician.
The qualifications for the job are:
High School diploma
No previous AI experience needed, but preferred
Must have previous pork industry experience

Use the supplied rsum to determine if you would interview Dan

Smith.

Todays Plan
Todays plan includes

Hi Ho, Hi HoIts Off to Work We Go

The Good Life
Pork Industry Options
EXTRA! EXTRA!

Hi Ho, Hi HoIts Off to

Work We Go

Pork Career Perception Barriers

There are over 300 careers in the agriculture industry. Many of
the agriculture industry career opportunities are available in the
pork industry.
Perception barriers to pork industry careers include:
1. Low pay
2. A poor work environment
3. Employees only work with pigs

Task, Job, and Career

Many people assume that tasks, jobs, and careers are all the
same thing, but are they?

Task

A task is a unit or piece of work that is completed in a

certain period of time.

Job

A job is also a piece of work, but is not

necessarily assigned.

Career

A career is a profession for which one is trained and

progresses through over a period of time.

The Good Life

Training and Education

Training and education are the key elements to obtaining a
career!
Doctorate
Masters Degree
Bachelors Degree
Associate Degree

Technical Degree

Technical Degrees
Technical degrees are earned in one to two years from schools that
specialize in a given area.

Disadvantages

Advantages

Opportunity for
advancement limited,
as training occurs in
one specific area

Skills-oriented
courses

Associate Degree
An Associate Degree is a two year degree from a junior college or
university.

Disadvantages

Opportunity for
advancement limited
in comparison to
higher degrees

Advantages
Allows you to obtain
entry-level positions
You have the option
to obtain a
bachelors degree

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Bachelors Degree
A Bachelors Degree is a four year degree from a college or university.

Disadvantages
To obtain the degree
courses outside the
major area need to
be taken even if these
courses do not
interest you

Advantages
Many doors are open
to individuals with
this degree
You choose a
major, but can
obtain a job outside
of your major area
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Masters Degree
A Masters Degree takes two years to complete and can only be
obtained after achieving a Bachelors Degree.

Disadvantages
Since this area is
more specialized, you
need to select the
area you want to work
in

Advantages
Courses related to
your chosen field of
study
Employers pay
more
Advancement
opportunities

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Doctorate (Ph.D.)
A Doctorate or Ph.D. can only be obtained after a Masters Degree.

Disadvantages
Takes five to eight
years to complete
Many school loans
may be needed

Advantages
Highly specialized;
Ph.D.s are experts
in their field
Advancement
opportunities
High salaries

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Myth Buster # 1 Low Pay

Salaries for careers in the pork industry are very competitive with
average U.S. salaries in all industries.
Average pork Industry Salary/Degree

U.S Average Earnings/Degree

No H. S. Degree

$26,700

No H. S. Degree

$18,900

H.S. Graduate

$30,700

H. S .Graduate

$25,900

Associate Degree

$34,700

Associate Degree

$33,000

Bachelors Degree

$42,300

Bachelors Degree

$45,400

Masters / Ph.D.

$50,000 plus

Masters / Ph.D.

$55,000 plus

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How to Choose?

Certain jobs require certain degrees

The more education you have, the more freedom you have to
choose a career in pork that meets your salary requirements

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Myth Buster # 2 Poor Work Environment

You can find many exciting career opportunities in the pork industry that dont involve working directly with
animals in barns.
The wide variety of available positions truly covers an array of interests and takes place in a variety of settings.

16

Myth Buster # 3 You Only Work With Pigs

A career in the pork industry includes a strong element of
working with people.
Most careers above entry-level positions require individuals to
supervise, manage, and develop a team of people.

17

Additional Opportunities
What else can a career in the pork industry offer you?
Personal growth and development

Bonuses, insurance,
paid vacation time

Advancement opportunities

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Job Profiler
Directions

Access the following URL: www.pork.org/careers

Click on the Job Profiler link and follow the onscreen directions to see how
your work values match up with career opportunities in the pork industry

The Job Profiler activity will take five minutes to complete online

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Pork Industry Options

Pork Careers

Assemble into groups of three

Brainstorm a list of career opportunities in the pork industry
You will have five minutes to complete this activity
Once completed, we will reconvene to discuss our findings

21

Exploring Pork Industry Careers

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Additional Opportunities
Financial Resource Management

Sales and Marketing

Human Resource Management

Production Opportunities

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Additional Opportunities
Research

Technology

Education

Agriculture
Engineer

Information
Technology
Veterinarian

24

Pork Industry Careers

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EXTRA! EXTRA!

Career Planner

You will need your Job Profiler results for this activity
Take a few moments to complete the Personal Values Inventory
on page 2 of the Career Planner workbook
Next, while referring to both your Job Profiler results and the
results of your Personal Values Inventory, complete the Work
Values and Personal Values exercise on page 3 of the Career
Planner workbook
Be prepared to discuss your answers with the class

27

Summary
In this lesson you, learned to

Identify common perceptions associated with a career in the pork

industry
Determine how training and education affect financial and career
options
Identify different career options in the pork industry
Synthesize collected information about a pork industry career into
a formal evaluation

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