Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Landscape Designer

• ​​​​​​​​​​Creates plans for outdoor spaces, including gardens, patios, walkways, and planting layouts. They focus on aesthetic design, plant selection, and functional use of space—often working with clients, architects, and installers.

Landscape Architect

• A licensed professional who designs large-scale outdoor environments such as parks, campuses, commercial landscapes, and public spaces. They handle technical details like grading, drainage, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

Grounds Maintenance Worker

• Responsible for the regular upkeep of lawns, gardens, and public or private landscapes. Tasks include mowing, trimming, planting, fertilizing, watering, and keeping the grounds clean and healthy.

Arborist (Tree Care Specialist)

• Focuses on the care, maintenance, and safety of trees. Arborists prune trees, remove hazardous limbs, diagnose diseases, and sometimes perform emergency storm-damage work.

Hardscape Installer

• Builds non-plant elements of landscapes such as patios, retaining walls, walkways, outdoor kitchens, and stone features. This role requires knowledge of construction techniques, materials, and equipment.

Irrigation Technician

• Installs, maintains, and repairs irrigation systems that keep landscapes properly watered. They design sprinkler layouts, troubleshoot leaks or electrical issues, and optimize water efficiency.

• Veterinarians diagnose and treat animals, perform surgeries, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. They may specialize in areas such as small animals, large animals, equine, exotic species, or veterinary pathology.
   

• Veterinary technicians function similarly to nurses in human medicine. They assist with examinations, anesthesia, lab testing, imaging, and client education. Most complete a 2–4 year accredited program leading to certification or licensure.
   

• Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and vet techs by handling animals, cleaning and preparing treatment areas, feeding and monitoring patients, and assisting with basic procedures. Training often includes short-term certificates or on-the-job learning.
   

• Animal caretakers work in shelters, boarding facilities, research laboratories, and zoos. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and providing daily hands-on care to maintain animal wellbeing.
   

• Animal nutritionists develop diets and feeding plans for pets, livestock, and wildlife. This role typically requires a degree in animal science, nutrition, or veterinary science and may involve work in feed companies, research institutions, or clinical settings.
   

• These professionals care for animals used in biomedical research and support scientists with data collection, controlled experiments, and compliance with animal welfare standards. They play a key role in maintaining ethical and effective research environments.

• College diploma programs (1–2 years) that prepare students for hands-on roles in the landscape industry. These programs typically include courses in plant identification, soil science, turf management, landscape maintenance, hardscaping basics, and pest/disease management. Graduates are ready for entry-level technician or crew roles in residential, commercial, or greenhouse settings.
   

• Apprenticeship programs offer paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. Depending on the region, options may include landscape horticulturalist apprenticeships, grounds maintenance training, or arborist apprenticeships. Apprenticeships lead to industry-recognized certifications and prepare graduates for skilled trade roles.
   

• Short-term certificate programs (3–12 months) provide focused training for quick entry into the workforce or specialization. Common certificates cover landscape design basics, sustainable landscape practices, garden center operations, arboriculture, irrigation systems, and hardscape installation.
   

• A bachelor’s degree is ideal for those pursuing design, consulting, or management roles. Popular majors include Landscape Architecture (BLA), Horticulture or Plant Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, and Urban Forestry. Graduates often become landscape designers, licensed landscape architects, nursery managers, or environmental consultants.
   

• These programs emphasize practical, job-ready skills. Training may include paver and retaining wall installation, chainsaw safety, irrigation setup, and lawncare equipment operation. Ideal for individuals seeking hands-on instruction outside traditional academic programs.

• A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is the required professional degree for becoming a veterinarian. DVM programs take four years after completing an undergraduate degree, totaling about 7–8 years of education. Students typically complete prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, physiology, and math before applying. Graduates may work as small or large animal veterinarians, exotic animal vets, surgeons, pathologists, or public health veterinarians.

• Veterinary technology programs prepare students to become Registered Veterinary Technicians or veterinary nurses. Most complete a two-year diploma or associate degree, while some pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree for technologist roles. Training focuses on animal nursing, anesthesia, radiography, laboratory procedures, and dentistry. Graduates qualify for licensed or registered veterinary technician positions.

• Veterinary assistant programs provide foundational skills for supporting veterinarians and vet techs. These certificate programs typically last 6–12 months and cover animal handling, basic clinical skills, client communication, and clinic upkeep. Many students use this path as an entry point into the veterinary field or as a stepping stone toward veterinary technology programs.

• Bachelor’s degrees in fields such as Animal Science, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Biology, and Animal Health offer strong preparation for pre-vet students and those pursuing careers in animal nutrition, livestock production, wildlife care, or research. These programs build a broad scientific foundation and serve as excellent preparation for DVM admissions.

• Degrees in related scientific fields—such as Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Public Health, or Biomedical Science—are valuable for students interested in research-oriented or specialized veterinary careers. Graduates often work in laboratories, research institutions, public health agencies, or pursue advanced training.

• These one- to two-year certificate or diploma programs prepare students to work with research animals in biomedical and academic settings. Training includes lab animal care, research methods, and ethical animal use. Graduates often work in university labs, pharmaceutical companies, and biomedical research facilities.