In the second phase, you will explore majors and careers based on your results from Phase 1 as well as learn about the different Herbert majors. As a result of completing this phase, you will be able to answer most, if not all of the following questions: What majors does Herbert offer? What do I know about the different majors, like classes, involvement, career paths, and involvement? What majors and careers align with the information I learned in Self Exploration? Which majors and careers am I interested in? Which majors and careers am I not interested in? What would my degree requirements for these majors be? Where can I learn more information about majors and careers?
For each of the self-assessments you completed in Phase 1, click on the corresponding link below to review the careers and majors that correspond with your results.
- Strong Interest Inventory – https://career.utk.edu/students/explore/assessment/
- PathwayU – https://career.utk.edu/students/explore/assessment/
- TypeFocus – you should have received this information following your results
- Values Inventory – https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Work_Values/
- Skills Inventory – https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Skills/2.A/
As you explore these majors and careers, make sure you document any that interest you.
To learn about the majors in the Herbert College of Agriculture, use the drop down menu to select a department and read the description about their majors. You will also find a link to the department’s website for additional information.
The Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications department offers three concentrations for students. All three provide students with hands-on learning experiences and faculty mentoring.
Agricultural Communications provides students with a broad background in agriculture while building skills in journalism, electronic media, marketing/management, and broadcasting. Students are prepared for roles in journalism, marketing, broadcasting, media, and other communication-related jobs
Agricultural Education leads to teacher licensure in agricultural sciences in the state of Tennesse. Students are prepared to be high school agricultural teachers as well as FFA advisors by taking a variety of agricultural and teacher preparation courses before a semester of student teaching.
Community Engagement and Leadership Development prepares students for careers in community or youth organizations, Extension, government, business, nonprofits, or international environments. This customizable degree will develop students’ leadership skills while providing them the opportunity to take classes in agricultural areas of interest and community engagement electives in areas such as psychology, public health, child and family studies, and sociology.
For more information on the department and concentrations, visit the ALEC website.
The Agricultural and Resource Economics departments offers two majors as well as optional accelerated 5 year BS-MS program for each.
Food and Agricultural Business students complete both Haslam College of Business courses and agricultural business classes with the opportunity to customize their degree via a variety of departmental electives as well as specialize in one of two optional concentrations: law and policy and finance and risk management. Students are prepared for a wide array of careers in the agri-food sector including positions with Cargill, Farm Credit Mid-America, Tyson Foods, and Crop Production Services
Natural Resource and Environmental Economics provides students with a background in both business and economics with an emphasis on natural resources and environmental issues and policies through classes focused on conservation, ecology, resource use, environmental law and ethics, and other social science disciplines. Students are ready for careers in the public and private sector related to resource conservation and environmental quality with companies like Knoxville Utilities Board, Natural Parks Conservation Association, Diamond Consulting, and IGS Energy.
To learn more, check out their website.
The animal science offers 3 concentrations as well as a 3+1 and 5 year BS-MS program. Here are brief summaries of our specific concentrations:
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine: This is a pre-professional concentration designed for students who are interested in applying to veterinary school.
- Bioscience: This is a flexible concentration great for pursuing graduate school and other professional programs and careers in pre- and post-harvest food safety, wildlife, and nutrition, to name a few.
- Animal Industries: This concentration is great for pursuing careers in multiple agri-businesses – pharmaceutical, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, farm/animal management, pre- and post-harvest food safety, among others. Requires an internship and a minor with a business or communication focus.
For more career related information, as well as student and professional organizations.
The breadth of the Biosystems Engineering major, our emphasis on design, and our application of engineering principles to complex biological systems is what makes our program different than other engineering fields. Studying biosystems engineering at UT involves taking classes in the Tickle College of Engineering and at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA). The program of study is like all other engineering disciplines, with students completing a common set of courses in math, physics, chemistry, statics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics and strength of materials. Once these classes are completed, students take specialized biosystems engineering classes in biothermodynamics, biochemistry, mechanical systems, hydrology, bioprocessing, instrument and controls and engineering design on the UTIA campus.
The Construction Science major is designed to prepare students for entry into the very broad and diverse range of careers related to construction. Students in this program typically enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a project grow from an idea to finished product. This field relies on knowledge from engineering, construction, and business; skills related to teamwork and leadership are important as well. A business administration minor is part of the major with courses addressing construction-specific issues in accounting, finance, and law; issues related to green/sustainable construction practices are also covered.
The undergraduate program in Environmental and Soil Sciences has three concentrations – Environmental Science, Conservation Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability, and Soil Science. All three concentrations include a Watershed minor. Many of our ESS courses are very hands-on and involve a great deal of experiential learning. We emphasize mastery of the core disciplinary areas, leadership, communication skills, and an ability to work in a diverse, global environment. We take pride in the fact that employers find our students very “job-ready” as a result of our boots on the ground approach.
Learn more about all three majors by visiting their website.
Food Science incorporates the STEM disciplines of biology, chemistry, and engineering to better understand food, improve ways of making food, increase the availability of food, and improve the quality food products for consumers (including pets). Food scientists study the physical, microbiological, and chemical composition of food and apply these findings to the development of a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supply. Food scientists are uniquely able to address some of the most pressing issues facing humankind, including food security, food safety, and sustainability. Students will develop and build skills including basic sciences (chemistry, microbiology, mathematics, engineering), composition of food, food processing, packaging, and quality control, reading comprehension, communication, problem-solving, decision making, and teamwork.
After graduating, students have pursued graduate or professional school as well as jobs in food microbiology and quality, food engineering, food chemistry, sensory science, product development, food scientist/technologist, and regulatory affairs. For more information about the food science major, visit their website and check out this article on food science.
The Department of Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries (FWF) has six concentrations that emphasize practical, hands-on learning experiences from both traditional and outdoor classroom settings. Students in FWF can enter a variety of careers such as forest ecologist, land managers, environmental scientist, park operations supervisor, urban forester, arborist, procurement forester, conservation biologist, fisheries biologist, hatchery technician, wildlife biologist, wetlands manager, or be prepared to enter graduate or veterinary schools. For more information on the department please visit us on Instagram, Facebook, or our webpage.
The Department of Plant Sciences employs expert faculty researching food security, organic and alternative production methods, genetic engineering, public horticulture, sustainable landscape design, hemp and other non-food crops, and turfgrass. Students who are interested in the outdoors, science, sports, being creative, healthy living, and solving international environmental challenges are well suited for Plant Sciences.
Utilizing experiential learning opportunities, faculty mentoring, paid internships, and a diversified curriculum prepares students to improve the world through agriculture.
Students specialize their skills completing concentrations in the Bachelor of Science in Plant Sciences program and are qualified for a wide range of careers. The following are a few potential jobs for graduates in the six concentrations:
Horticulture Science and Production
- Crop producer
- Greenhouse or hydroponic manager
- Horticulture supply chain specialist
Organic Production
- Community supported agriculture program manager
- Permaculture designer
- Sustainable farming consultant
Plant Genetics and Biotechnology
- Biosecurity specialist
- Formulation chemist
- Plant breeder
- Public Horticulture Educator
- Garden writer
- Public gardens director
Sustainable Landscape Design
- Environmental lobbyist
- Landscape designer
- Urban Planner
Turfgrass Science and Management
- Athletic field safety researcher
- Sports turf manager
- Turfgrass supply and equipment salesperson
To learn more, check the Plant Sciences website.
- Career Profiles on AgCareers.com – https://www.agcareers.com/career-profiles/
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
- What Can I Do With This Major? – To access, visit the Center for Career Development’s website and click on the “What Can I Do With This Major?” tab on the left side of the page – https://career.utk.edu/
- Candid Career – https://www.candidcareer.com/
Again, document any majors and careers you are interested in and want to consider in the process of choosing a major.
You can review these resources any many times as you’d like but when you are ready, please continue to Phase 3: Major Selection!
