4-H Agriculture Career Exploration Series Inspires Youth

Written by Melissa Bright, Somerset County 4-H Agent, Rutgers University

Alumni of 4-H youth development programs have reported that their involvement in 4-H activities has influenced their career paths and provided them with valuable lifelong contacts in their industry (Rusk,2002).

Several studies have identified life skills such as increased self-esteem and leadership skills a benefit of participation in animal science-related activities, career exploration, and career readiness (Ward, 1996).

Based on this feedback provided by 4-H alumni, the 4-H Agriculture Career Exploration Series has been developed by the Somerset County, NJ 4-H Program. In this series, youth participants in grades 7th-13th are provided with a realistic picture of local individuals working in the animal science and/or agriculture field. They share their educational background, overview of their responsibilities, and other information about their prospective careers.

This series helps 4-H members make connections between school and the workplace while preparing them for an educational exploration by allowing youth to listen, learn, interact, and ask questions to local industry professionals. It also enables students to begin identifying areas of career interest.

To date, this series has provided multiple career exploration programs available to youth nationwide. In this series, multiple career explorational programs were broadcast nationwide.

4-H Animal Science Career Night was a 2-hour hybrid event held in November 2023 and it was broadcast nationwide. There were 50 youths in attendance from Alaska, Arkansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Colorado, and Illinois. This event included career exploration in Marine Biology, Zookeeping, K-9 Unit Training, Veterinary Science, and Dog Day Care Handlers.

Evaluations reported:

· 80% of the participants said it was a GREAT event.

· 90% of the participants are MORE interested in pursuing an animal science career because of the 4-H Animal Science Career Night.

· 100% of the participants would attend the 4-H Animal Science Career Night again.

· Presenters were rated in order from highest interest to lowest as K-9-Unit Training, Zookeeping, Marine Biology, Veterinary Science, and Dog Day Care Handlers

· Participants reported wanting to learn more about animal rehabilitation, wildlife, equine science, ornithology, and farming.

· Participant comments…

“I didn’t think K-9 training could be a career.”

“This was a different program that I don’t have in my state, and I want to zoom in for the next one.”

“I didn’t realize there were more careers than vet science, that is my goal, but it did open my eyes to more.”

Agriculture Career Day was held in January 2024, and it was hosted in partnership with the Somerset County Vocational High School. This six-hour program was available for students grades 9th-12th. 20 students attended, and these students were already interested in an agriculture career. Students were able to interact with industry professionals and explore various careers in the agriculture industry. These careers included Atmospheric Science, Veterinarian Science, Landscape Architecture, Biologist/ Habitat Planner, and Plant Science.

Pre-surveys were conducted to explore what careers the students wanted to learn more about, and the results are as follows.

· 45% were very interested in Animal Science and Plant Science.

· 32% were interested in Environmental Science.

· 20% were interested in Power Structure and Technical Systems.

· The other students were interested in veterinarian science, environmental engineering, astrobiology, pomology, helminthology, Biochemistry, astrobiology, botanist, entomologist, florist, plant geneticist, horticulturist, Environmental Sustainability, landscape architect marine biology, wildlife, zookeeper, animal caretaker, horse trainer, and/or shark biologist.

In qualitative questions, youth were asked to complete a post-survey.

· 90% said it was a GREAT event.

· 87% are MORE interested in pursuing an animal science career because of Agriculture Career Day.

· 100% would attend Agriculture Career Day again.

· Presenters rated in order: Veterinarian, Plant Science, Landscape Architecture, Atmospheric Science, and Biologist.

· Participants were asked what other career they wanted to see at the next career exploration program: Animal rehabilitation, wildlife, equine science, ornithology, and farming.

· Participant Comments:

“This was a great program we didn’t have before.”

“Thank you for giving us this opportunity and connections.”

“I liked learning CPR on the dog.”

“I didn’t realize how expensive Vet school is.”

Based on the success of the first two programs conducted in the 4-H Agriculture Career Exploration Series, Women in Agriculture Career Night will be held on March 8, 2024. This is where International Women’s Day meets National Agriculture Month. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day and National Agriculture Month as they can engage with local women working in agriculture.

Each 4-H program across the nation is vastly different. Not everyone has access to agriculture programming, but the delivery of this program is a hybrid format that can also be presented fully remotely. This program can be replicated anywhere from urban, suburban, or rural. No matter what type of 4-H programming one has access to, this type of program allows us to connect virtually with other professionals from across the nation.

Resources:

Lancaster, K., Knobloch, N., Jones, A., & Brady, C. (2013). Youth Motivation to Participate in Animal Science-Related Career Development Events. The Journal of Extension, 51(2), Article 30.