Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
You can rest assured that this won't always be glamorous work. In fact, Mike Rowe would have a field day with people in this major. If that turns you away from animal science, then you weren't meant to study it in the first place.
For those not afraid of a little mess, you're in for some experiential education. Unlike other majors, where all the work is done in the classroom, a huge portion of your schooling is done with the animals you're learning about.
Tending to the school's barn animals is actually something you will be graded on, and it's gold on a resume. Saying you know how to deliver a lamb is one thing, but having actually done it puts you at the top of an employer's hiring list.
Another benefit to this degree is that it has a high level of specialization. You're likely to find yourself studying a specific group of animals, such as dairy cattle. This expertise is a great asset to have when searching for a job. It prevents some of those…other animal-based majors from snaking jobs away from you. We're looking at you, zoology.
Common Career Fields
Agricultural Journalism. If you're in or near New Jersey, you might've heard about the scandal involving Chris Christie and his "pig problem." In short, he didn't support legislation to prevent large pigs from spending up to 80% of their lives in pens so small that they couldn't even turn around. It sounds brutal to some people, and an agricultural journalist will be able to detail the exact reasons why. This is the type of story that has large implications, but couldn't be effectively written without knowledge of the pig world.
Breeding. This is a field that can potentially be very lucrative. If a ranch needs a bull known for producing particularly strong offspring, they probably won't go to the farm down the road; they're much more likely to seek out a breeder. In terms of horses, the breeding is essential to the racing done at big events like the Kentucky Derby. Most horses come from a long lineage of racers and have been bred to be the best of the best.
Farm Management. If you spend your whole college education in animal science, farm management is one of the most popular places to end up. You'll be able to help farms stay sanitary and productive when faced with issues involving food shortage or unfavorable weather. With the world population continually rising, farm managers become increasingly important. They produce some of the most important stuff in the world: food. Keep that in mind the next time you go to your local farmer's market.
Hatchery Management. Fish are vital to our world not just for food, but also in regards to ecosystems. Hatchery managers not only produce a sustainable supply of the sushi we love so much, but also to revitalize populations of dwindling fish. With their controlled environment, it's much easier to give a population a bump in size than in the wild, where one shark can come in and ruin years of work.
Teaching. Many people who graduate with this degree go on to teach, which is good news for the undergraduates. If you're thinking, "The whole reason I want to study this is to be outside with animals, not locked in a lecture hall!" then have no fear, because a huge portion of education in this field occurs…well, in the field. It also means that classes can't be held in giant auditoriums, like with general chemistry. Teachers and professors need to ensure that students are not only learning the what of animal science, but also the how.
Veterinary Medicine. We'll bet you already thought of this one. It's the aspiration of many children, especially after leaving the vet's office where your four-legged buddy just got patched up. An animal science degree is a great jumping-off point for a degree in veterinary medicine, especially since you'd already have a wealth of general animal knowledge. Prepare yourself for more work in chemistry and biochemistry, though, because you'll need to understand what you're injecting those horses with.
Wildlife Conservation. Understanding animal behavior and functions is a great basis for work in wildlife conservation. The professionals in this field are often associated with academia and write papers that focus on improving the world's ecosystems. They seek to preserve the creatures of the wild and, you know, to keep humans from destroying everything on the planet.
Current unemployment of the major
4.0%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
33%Stats obtained from this source.