Agricultural Engineers

Also Called:

Agricultural Engineer,

Engineer,

Project Engineer,

Research Agricultural Engineer

What they do: Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

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Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Career Cluster

What do they typically do on the job?

  • Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
  • Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
  • Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

Analytical Thinking

Integrity

Attention to Detail

Initiative

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Interests

Career interests describe the perspectives and interests of people who enjoy the type of work involved in this career.

Discover what your interests are by taking the Interest Profiler Quiz

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Investigative

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Realistic

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Conventional

Knowledge

People who want to pursue this career have knowledge in these areas.

Engineering and Technology

  • Product and service development

  • Computers and electronics

Math and Science

  • Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

  • Physics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • Food production

Abilities

Whether you have received formal training or not, these types of abilities are helpful in this career.

Verbal

  • Communicate by speaking

  • Communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • Make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

  • Use rules to solve problems

Math

  • Choose the right type of math to solve a problem

  • Add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Skills

People who want to pursue this career have skills in these areas.

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

  • Reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Work Values

Work values describe how your core beliefs align with those commonly needed for this career.

Independence

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Does this sound like something you'd like to do?

1. Do some research
  • Identify how your interests, values, and strengths match this occupation
  • Talk to someone who works in this field or spend a day job shadowing
  • Use the colleges and training directory to explore programs related to this career
2. Plan your next move

Data for NSI career cards comes from the following: Idaho Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, MyNextMove, and Career OneStop