An Overview of the the Agricultural Engineer Profession

An Overview of the the Agricultural Engineer Profession An Overview of the the Agricultural Engineer Profession Agricultural engineers, according to the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), apply engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources (Finding Solutions for Life on a Small Planet). They design agricultural machinery, equipment, sensors, processes and structures, and solve problems related to farming. Quick Facts Agricultural engineers earn a  median annual salary  of $75,090.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are just 2,700 people employed as agricultural engineers.The job outlook  for agricultural engineers is poor, according  to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This government agency expects employment to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2024.Engineering firms, the Federal government and state governments, and food manufacturers are the primary employers in this field. Jobs are typically full time- usually 40 hours per week- with some additional hours required. Engineers are considered exempt employees under the U.S. Federal Labor Standards Act and are therefore not eligible for overtime pay.Because their work often involves being outdoors, the weather can affect their schedules. They work longer hours when the weather is good because they wont have that opportunity when the weather turns inclement. A Day In the Life of an Agricultural Engineer   Here are some typical things you can expect to do if you decide to go  into this occupation: Design agricultural machinery components and equipment using computer-aided design (CAD) technologyCreate engineering documents as needed to satisfy project scopeMaintain and repair automation equipment to ensure automation successInteract directly with growers, consultants,  and agribusiness companiesProvide engineering design and support for civil/agricultural related projects How to Become an Agricultural Engineer First, you will have to earn at least a bachelors degree in engineering with a concentration in agricultural engineering. An aptitude for math is critical. Your degree should come from a program accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. ABET is a non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary education programs in applied and natural science and international organization. It accredits engineering programs in 24 countries including the United States. It usually takes four years to complete a bachelors degree which combines classroom, laboratory, and field studies. You can use ABETs  Accredited Program Search  to find colleges of your choice.   Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed. These licensed engineers are called Professional Engineers (PE). Candidates for licensure must have a degree from an ABET-accredited program and about four years of relevant work experience. They must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, both administered by NCEES (the National Council of Examines for Engineering and Surveying). Other requirements vary by state. The Licensed Occupations Tool from CareerOneStop will help you learn about the licensing requirements in the state in which you plan to work. Soft Skills Youll Need In addition to the technical skills you must acquire, you will also need certain soft skills  to succeed as an agricultural engineer. These soft skills include the following: Problem Solving:  A significant part of your job will be identifying problems and coming up with workable solutions to them.Critical Thinking:  To solve problems and make decisions youll need to be able to evaluate your options and choose the most viable ones.Communication Skills: You will have to share information with clients and colleagues. Excellent  writing, listening, and speaking skills are crucial. Is This a Good  Career Fit for You? The following career and personality assessment tools can help you self-evaluate the best career path for you. Holland Code: IRE  (Investigative, Realistic, Enterprising)MBTI Personality Types: ENTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, ISTJ, ESTP (Tieger, Paul D., Barron, Barbara, and Tieger, Kelly. (2014)    Do What You Are. NY: Hatchette Book Group.) You can also take the career-specific  Should You Become an Engineer Quiz to see if this career is right for you. Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks Occupation Description Annual Salary Educational Requirements Environmental Engineer Uses engineering principles as well as knowledge of soil science, chemistry, and biology to solve environmental problems. $84,560 Bachelors degree in environmental engineering Engineering Technician Assists engineers and scientists. $61,260 Associate degree in engineering technology Architect Designs buildings and other structures. $76,100 Professional degree in Architecture (Bachelors or Masters degrees) Sources:Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,  Occupational Outlook HandbookEmployment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,  O*NET Online.