Luke Gibbs
Job Description
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Agricultural engineers use their knowledge to solve the problems of farmers and the
agricultural industry. They work to improve the quality and increase the production of
farm products. Most agricultural engineers work for manufacturing companies that
design and supply equipment. In these companies engineers work in sales, research
and development, marketing, advertising, and management. Some engineers teach in
colleges and universities. Others work as technical writers and editors for agricultural
publications. Engineers also do extension service work or work for banks or insurance
companies. A few are self-employed as consultants to farmers, manufacturers, and
government agencies.
Agricultural engineers generally specialize in one of five major areas: farm structures,
mechanical power, electrification, soil and water conservation, and food engineering.
Engineers who work in farm structures design farmhouses, barns and other animal
shelters, and crop storage facilities such as silos and granaries. In addition, they plan
sanitation, ventilation, and heating systems for these buildings. Agricultural engineers
also design power machines used on farms for land tilling, insect control, fertilization,
and harvesting.
Agricultural engineers involved in electrification may design an electric power system
for a rural region. Others develop or improve ways to use electric power for such
purposes as curing and drying crops or dehydrating food. Engineers who work in soil
and water conservation develop irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems. The
newest specialty of agricultural engineers is that of food processing. In this work,
engineers design efficient food plants and new machinery to preserve, package, and
distribute foods.
Educational Background
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The minimum requirement for agricultural engineers
is a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering.
Colleges offer four- and five-year programs.
Research and college-level teaching positions
generally require a master's or doctoral degree.
Engineers whose work affects public health and
safety must obtain a state license. Requirements for
licensing generally include a degree in engineering,
several years of work experience in the engineering
field, and a good score on a written test.
Getting The Job
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Interested students should contact their
college placement office for job assistance.
Industries involved in agriculture regularly
send representatives to colleges to discuss
job openings. In addition, professional
societies and journals may list openings. To
get a government job, apply to take the
necessary civil service test.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment
Outlook
Researchers may advance to chief of a research division.
Those who work in the industry may become top
managers for their company. Some open their own
consulting firms.
 The employment outlook for agricultural engineers is
good. Although the growth rate in many agricultural fields
is expected to be small, agricultural engineers will make
gains by diversifying from their original domain and
extending into the conservation industry, where the reuse
of agricultural waste materials is an important
development. The increasing world population will also
prove a boon to the agriculture industry as a whole, as the
demand for farm products increases.
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Working Conditions
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Working conditions for agricultural
engineers depend on the kind of work they
do. Some of their work may be done in
laboratories, in offices, or at the designing
table. Sometimes their work requires
observation in the field. They may need to
investigate farm operations, survey land
use and conditions, or test new equipment.
Engineers normally work thirty-five to forty
hours a week. However, they may work
more hours when a project is near
completion or to meet a deadline.
Earnings and Benefits
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Salaries vary with education and experience.
Agricultural engineers holding a bachelor's
degree can start at $42,987 per year. Those
with a master's degree may earn $54,000 per
year. Those with doctoral degrees can earn
annual salaries of $70,000 or more. The
median annual salary is $56,520, according to
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineers
receive paid vacations and holidays, health
and life insurance, and pension plans.
Works Cited
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http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/
45/Agricultural-Engineer.html