Dairy cows graze in their field on Horsebarn Hill on June 11, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

Career Opportunities for Animal Science Graduates

A career in animal science makes you part of one of the biggest industries in the world! U.S. agriculture alone is a $992 billion business, and animal agriculture is a large component of U.S. agriculture, employing large numbers of animal science graduates. According to a study initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University, results show that more than 57,900 annual job openings for new graduates between 2015 and 2020, and some 35,400 qualified graduates available each year for these positions resulting in a shortage.  For this reason employment opportunities for agricultural scientists are expected to be optimistic.

Today's animal science graduates go on to challenging careers in a large variety of different fields. Many fill positions in animal production. These opportunities require technical, personnel, and management training and can lead to jobs in livestock, poultry, egg and dairy units as well as horse farms, zoos, pet animal breeders and other related industries. Additional career opportunities exist in agribusiness, technical service, teaching, veterinary science and laboratory animal care

Graduates are in demand to provide information on the availability of farm products (e.g. feed, equipment, etc.) and to formulate nutrition and health programs that lead to the efficient production of healthy animals. Others pursue careers in food processing and areas as different as Cooperative Extension, journalism, quality control and the inspection and grading of meat, milk and eggs.

Animal scientists with a background in molecular biology, microbiology or genetics are in demand for laboratory work in universities and the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Furthermore, with additional education and graduate degrees, more opportunities in research, teaching, extension and veterinary medicine become available.

Other growing segments in the animal marketplace are the increased use of companion animals (horses, cats & dogs) for pleasure, health support and recreation and the use and care of laboratory animals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut is at your disposal. They provide counsel on choosing the right career; help students write their resumés and assist students in finding a job through career fairs, job announcements and the alumni career network.