Career Compass: Agribusiness

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

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.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Course requirements:
ABIZ 2390 or 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. Attend an Info session and consider applying for Co-op.
4. Use UM Achieve to explore different program options & corresponding requirements.
5. Take part in an international exchange opportunity 

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

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.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

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.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

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.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

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.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

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.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

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.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

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.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

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.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

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").

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

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 experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.  

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. lol

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - such as the UMIndigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Student’s Organizationnd much more!,  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Join Intercultural Leaders to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in eight sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Engage locally: Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs such as the Land and Water: Land-Based Education. Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Did you study abroad through student exchange? Become an exchange buddy for new inbound students! Introduce and help new exchange students adjust to life in Canada and participate in social and cultural events at UM thorough the year. You will receive an invitation upon return from your exchange.  

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

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.