Career Planning & Placement

Animal Science Graduates

Undergraduates responding to an annual CANR senior exit survey (2012 – 2014) indicated their experiences in the department contribute positively to the development of their life skills. Over 80% of the students believed that their experiences contributed to knowledge applicable to their career path. These students identified that the hands-on opportunities they were provided at the s Teaching and Research Centers and laboratories contributed greatly to their learning. Furthermore, students reported that the faculty were very approachable and invested in the student’s success. Upon graduation, 82% of our undergraduate students had finalized post-graduation plans including, but not limited to, graduate school, sales and service, animal production companies, laboratory or research companies/institutions, commodity and food groups, and the government. Thirty-nine percent of these students would enter veterinary school in the US.

Career Planning

Every senior should register with the Career Services Network and become familiar with these programs by the second semester of their junior year. If you wait until the first or second semester of your senior year, you will have already missed some of the opportunities. Most interviews take place a semester before graduation.

Contacts:

The Department of Animal Science supplements the university and college placement activities in several ways:

  1. Students are notified via email as employers contact the Department with job opportunities. Many students find full-time employment with organizations that have employed former students.
  2. Representatives from government or industry present seminars to interested students regarding employment opportunities.
  3. Academic advisors and mentors are available to discuss career planning and job opportunities at all times.

Preparation

Many public agencies use Civil Service examination procedures. You should enroll for those tests when they are scheduled for an opening of interest to you. There is often a long lag between the test date and the posting of scores - start early. Remember, you need to be actively engaged in finding a job. The job will not come to you.

Don't wait for someone to call with the job offer. Contact those agencies of most interest to you, give them a resume of your education and work experience, and let them know of your interests and availability. Jobs come to those who are both well prepared and willing to seek the opportunity. During your first year you should develop a resume and update that resume regularly.

The MSU Alumni Association also provides career resources and tips.

Michigan State University Alumni Association

Students

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