Career Compass: Agribusiness

As an agribusiness student in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, you will specialize in the business end of agriculture. This begins with the consumer, ends with the producer and involves all those along the food chain. Food production and distribution is undertaken in a business environment and agribusiness is the study of decision-making within this setting. Graduates gain insight into the agribusiness environment through mastering concepts in economics, statistics, finance, marketing and management.

Skills you will gain by studying AGRIBUSINESS

• An understanding of Canada’s food supply chain, from consumer to producer.
• The ability to manage an agricultural or food-processing business and sort through price and production data.
• The ability to market and distribute food products to customers within the community and around the world.
• An understanding of the factors and policies governing the agriculture industry and enabling food distribution globally.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
ABIZ 1000, AGRI 1600, BIOL 1000 or BIOL 1020, BIOL 1010 or BIOL 1030, ECON 1010, ECON 1020, HNSC 1200 or HNSC 1210, MATH 1300 or MATH 1210, MATH 1500, MATH 1524 or MATH 1510, and a free elective.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills. Gather career information and resources from the faculty job placement coordinator.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Set up your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Agribusiness Students’ Association, the Faculty of Agriculture Students' Association (FASO) and the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU).
2. Participate in New Venture Championships through Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the International Centre website to learn about international opportunities for UM students.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit Migizii Agamik or the International Centre, take part in the Intercultural Retreat or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
ABIZ/ECON 2390, ABIZ 2510, ABIZ 2520, ACC 1100, AGRI 2030, AGRI 2400, ANSC 2500, ECON 2010, PLNT 2500, plus restricted/free electives

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities.
3. Consider applying to the co-op option.
4. Use UM Achieve to explore different program options & corresponding requirements.
5. Take part in an international exchange opportunity 

CAREER TIPS

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs, like the ASE Career Fair in October, to connect with employers.
3. Become a student member with the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association or the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant positions, Undergraduate Research Award through Faculty departments and other research institutions.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, Agriculture in the Classroom and Fort Whyte Farms.

Check out student job opportunities with: Agriculture and food companies, government and not for profit organizations through the Faculty website.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange through the faculty, volunteer in an agricultural-related position through Go Overseas, Volunteer Base Camp or Projects Abroad, International Rural Exchange (IRE) program, Agriculture Without Borders (AWB), My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday".

Staying local? Check out out a spring or summer Community Engaged Learning experience. Consider learning a new language and culture through the Volunteer Language Exchange Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
ABIZ 2620 or HRIR 2440, ABIZ 3080 or ECON 3040, ABIZ 3510, plus restricted/free electives

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Consider taking a minor in Plant Biotechnology, Agronomy, or Economics.

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals and follow the faculty LinkedIn page.
5. Consider continuing your studies: check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs at the University of Manitoba.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out AgCareers.com, Agri-Food Innovation Council (AIC), Manitoba Insitute of Agrologists, Direct Farm Manitoba, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Job Bank, Indeed or other search engines.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you travel abroad? Become an exchange mentor for the International Student Mentorship Program, join the exchange student community at the University of Manitoba or write an article about your experience.

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Participate in the Intercultural Development and Leadership Program, volunteer for the Land and Water: Land-based Education or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
ABIZ 4500, AGRI 4100 plus restricted and free electives

To do this year:
Confirm ability to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

CAREER TIPS

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation. Additional career information and resources are available from the faculty job placement coordinator.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend a conference through the Agriculture Institute of Canada, Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA), Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) or event through Farm Management Canada.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

Agribusiness Owner/Manager
Agricultural Consultant
Agriculture Commodity Advisor
Agriculture Operations Specialist
Claims Adjuster
Commodity Analyst
Compliance Analyst
Crop Insurance Officer
Farm Manager
Grain Buyer
International Trade and Development Analyst
Loans Officer
Marketing / Sales Specialist
Procurement Manager
Property Assessor
Relationship Manager
Risk Management Specialist
Rural Practice Surveyor
Supply Chain Manager 
Territory Manager
Transportation Logistics Manager

Options requiring other education

Accountant
Actuary
Environmental Consultant
Food/Public Health Inspectors
Journalist
Lawyer
University Professor

Industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, community development, environment, food and dairy, education, and government would value an agribusiness degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral and written communication
• Numeracy and data use
• Industry specific knowledge
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Digital technology
• Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.