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First, some facts. Of the Agricultural Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 54 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Agricultural Engineering graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 37% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Agricultural Engineering graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 31% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Agricultural Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWarehouse Associate Ross Stores, Inc. Sep 2020 - Oct 2021 Support Engineer  California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Oct 2021 - Jan 2022 AV Installer Coastal Homeworks Jan 2022 - May 2022 Field Technician pH Technologies May 2022 - Present ABOUTI am an adaptable person who can get work done no matter the difficulty of the task. I am also willing to work my hardest and will try to use my knowledge to benefit the workplace. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the career paths of graduates with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, you can see a wide range of jobs they’ve landed. Most of these jobs relate directly to the field, while others seem to stray pretty far away from what they studied. A significant number of these graduates have found roles like Research Assistants, Project Engineers, and Agricultural Engineers which harness the technical knowledge and practical skills they gained during their studies. Interestingly, while many have utilized their degree effectively, there are quite a few who have ventured into roles that, while perhaps tangentially related or using some engineering principles, do not fully align with agricultural engineering.
One common thread among the relevant jobs is research, particularly in positions like Graduate Research Assistants or Research Engineers. These positions are a great fit because they often involve applying engineering principles to tackle real-world agricultural problems, demonstrating a clear connection to their academic background. Then you have roles like Project Engineer, where the focus is primarily on managing and executing agricultural projects, which again is very much in line with their training. However, it’s worth noting that there are also plenty who have moved into positions that have little relevance to their degree, such as teaching, sales, or even roles in unrelated fields like finance or general management. This broad spectrum of career choices reveals that while a solid foundation in agricultural engineering is valuable, many graduates find themselves taking pathways that diverge from the core focus of their education.
In conclusion, while many Agricultural Engineering graduates have found fulfilling careers closely aligned with their field, a notable percentage have pursued jobs that do not directly leverage the specialized skills they developed during their studies. This could be due to personal interests, market demand, or a search for diverse opportunities. Regardless, it's clear that the core skills developed in Agricultural Engineering provide a versatile foundation, enabling graduates to adapt to various roles across different industries, even if they stray from the agricultural focus. So, whether they’re designing agricultural systems or managing projects outside the field, it’s a mixed bag in terms of relevance, showcasing the broad application of their degree in today's job market.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Agricultural Engineering graduates:
When diving into the career trajectories of Agricultural Engineering graduates, it's clear that many of them begin their professional journeys in roles that align well with their field of study. Typically, their first jobs post-graduation involve positions such as research assistants, project engineers, or roles in agricultural design and engineering. For example, graduates from esteemed institutions like Iowa State University and the University of Illinois have taken on roles as research assistants or project engineers shortly after graduation. This pattern highlights a common inclination among these individuals to remain close to their academic roots and make an impact in sectors directly related to agricultural engineering right from the start.
Fast forward five or ten years, and we can see a blend of trajectories among these graduates. Many remain deeply entrenched in agricultural and engineering fields, advancing their careers with titles such as lead test engineer, project manager, or research engineer. For instance, an Iowa State University graduate who started as a lead test engineer at Kinze Manufacturing has stayed within the agricultural engineering sphere, growing into a leadership position. Others have carved out niches in research or transitioned into managerial roles, indicating a healthy progression and investment in their careers relevant to agricultural practices. However, some graduates do appear to veer off into less related fields over time, taking on roles that are tangentially connected to agriculture or engineering, which raises questions about job alignment and career satisfaction.
Overall, while a significant number of graduates seem to find success in roles that are both promising and relevant to agricultural engineering, a noticeable fraction has encountered career paths that diverge from their original studies. This dual narrative offers insights into the evolving job market and the adaptability required to navigate it. So, for students considering a degree in Agricultural Engineering, there’s a clear potential for a rewarding career path, but it’s just as crucial to be open to various opportunities that might arise, even if they don’t fit the original blueprint right off the bat.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy math, science, and problem-solving, you might find it to be a manageable experience. You'll dive into topics like fluid mechanics, soil science, and environmental systems, which can be intense at times. However, it’s not as daunting as some other engineering fields, like electrical or aerospace engineering. That said, you will definitely need to put in some serious effort and stay on top of your coursework, especially during those critical design and project courses. So, while it’s not a walk in the park, with dedication and a passion for the subject, you can definitely handle it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Engineering.
When looking at these Agricultural Engineering grads, it seems like a mixed bag in terms of salary potential. Some of them have made solid moves into engineering roles that typically pay well, especially those that graduated from prestigious schools like Iowa State University or the University of Illinois. Job titles such as "Senior Engineer" and "Project Engineer" often come with decent salaries, and roles in research and academia can also lead to stable income over time. For instance, one grad from Iowa State University has stayed with Kinze Manufacturing since 2013, which likely means they're earning a good salary by now due to experience and promotions.
However, others have taken more unconventional paths or jobs that typically don’t pay as well, like teaching positions or internships, which may impact their overall earnings. For example, a grad from the University of Illinois took on a role as a teaching intern after graduation, which probably didn’t pay that great. So, while some are set up for successful and lucrative careers, others might need to hustle a bit more to break into higher-paying positions in the field. Overall, it looks promising for many, but not all are guaranteed to rake in the big bucks right away.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Engineering. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Agricultural Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: