Careers: veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, farm manager, agricultural technician, and landscaper. Majors: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, and Forestry and Natural Resources.
College majors for agriculture and animal care
Agriculture and Agribusiness
Studies how food, fiber and plants are produced, managed and sold.
Animal Science and Veterinary Technology
Studies animal biology, care, nutrition and health.
Forestry and Natural Resources
Studies how to manage forests, wildlife, parks and natural resources.
Careers in agriculture and animal care
Veterinary Technician
Care for animals as the nurses of veterinary medicine.
- Typical training: 2 years
Veterinary Assistant
Help veterinarians and vet techs care for animals.
- Typical training: 2–8 weeks
Farm Manager
Run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.
- Typical training: 5+ years of farm experience
Agricultural Technician
Support crop, soil and livestock research in fields and labs.
- Typical training: 2 years
Landscaper
Plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Typical training: 1–4 weeks
Forester
Manage forests for timber, wildlife, recreation and fire safety.
- Typical training: 4-year degree
Animal Caretaker
Feed, groom, exercise and care for pets and animals.
- Typical training: 1–4 weeks (longer for grooming)
Farmworker
Plant, tend and harvest crops in fields, orchards, nurseries and greenhouses.
- Typical training: Days to weeks
Ranch Hand
Care for cattle, horses and livestock on ranches and farms.
- Typical training: Weeks to months
Skills these careers use
- Animal restraint
- Kennel sanitation
- Pruning
- Anesthesia monitoring
- Radiography
- Lab testing
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what veterinary technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: animal restraint, anesthesia monitoring, and radiography
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Agriculture and Animal Care
A self-paced online course on what veterinary assistants do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: animal restraint, kennel sanitation, and instrument sterilization
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Agriculture and Animal Care
A self-paced online course on what farm managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: crop and livestock management, farm equipment, and farm finance
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Agriculture and Animal Care
A self-paced online course on what agricultural technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: field trial methods, soil and plant sampling, and lab techniques
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Agriculture and Animal Care
Agriculture and Animal Care: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in agriculture and animal care?
Careers connected to agriculture and animal care include veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, farm manager, agricultural technician, landscaper, forester, animal caretaker, and farmworker.
What should I major in if I am interested in agriculture and animal care?
Majors connected to agriculture and animal care include Agriculture and Agribusiness, Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, and Forestry and Natural Resources. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What agriculture and animal care careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, farm manager, agricultural technician, landscaper, and animal caretaker. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which agriculture and animal care careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include forester, agricultural inspector, landscape architect, soil and plant scientist, extension educator, and animal scientist. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in agriculture and animal care?
Skills that come up often in these careers include animal restraint, kennel sanitation, pruning, anesthesia monitoring, radiography, and lab testing, along with communication and problem solving.
How do I start a career in agriculture and animal care?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore agriculture and animal care careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in agriculture and animal care involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to agriculture and animal care?
Yes. Related online trainings include Veterinary Technician Training, Veterinary Assistant Training, Farm Manager Training, and Agricultural Technician Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to agriculture and animal care?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.