Educating the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists (1988) / Chapter Skim
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FUTURE DEMAND FOR AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS
FUTURE DEMAND FOR AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS
Pages 41-51
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From page 41... ...
On the supply side, the committee concluded it is unlikely a serious shortage will arise for scientists trained to carry out agricultural and food system research. Underlying this judgment is the assumption agricultural science positions will provide competitive salaries, professional opportunities, and interactions with colleagues.
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From page 42... ...
Only 26 percent of these doctoral scientists and engineers worked in industry; 46 percent of all agricultural scientists and engineers worked in industry. In terms of major work activities of scientists and engineers among all sectors, 38 percent of those at the doctoral level were primarily engaged in R&D (see Table 3-4)
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From page 43... ...
government agencies; trade and educational associations; and agricultural science leaders, educators, and research administrators. The data in the source publications were difficult to compare because they are represented by different categories and definitions.
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From page 44... ...
A more sophisticated projection requires consideration of factors that are likely to affect future growth rates among sectors. The committee examined factors expected to affect academia, industry, and government.
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From page 45... ...
If these trends in enrollments and R&D funding continue, employment demand for academic department and experiment station staff with Ph.D.s may become more dependent on state and federal appropriations for agricultural research. There is little evidence that recent downward enrollment trends in the agricultural sciences at the undergraduate level are changing.
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From page 46... ...
. Industry In addition to factors such as regulatory policy and international trade, the degree to which commercially significant biotechnologic advances occur in plant breeding; pesticide development; animal health, growth, and reproduction; and related areas will determine the near-term employment demand in the industrial sector.
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From page 47... ...
Each of these sectors would account for a roughly equal portion of total agricultural scientist employment. Required Skills The committee drew tentative conclusions from the data it analyzed regarding changes in skills required by future agricultural scientists.
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From page 48... ...
Many individuals expressed the view that doctoral-level scientists in industry, many of whom follow career paths that soon leave the laboratory, can best learn the skills they need on the job. Industrial research leaders stressed their interest in scientists with strong basic skills and the ability to work in multidisciplinary, mission-oriented environments.
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From page 49... ...
In spite of the prevalence of non-R&D work activities in industry, the committee observed that industrial leaders prefer scientists trained in the basic sciences. In 1985, nearly 40 percent of Ph.D.s in industry working in applied science positions came from nonapplied agricultural science fields, a percentage which the committee expects to grow among newly hired Ph.D.s.
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From page 50... ...
Industry Agricultural scientists in industry are expected to continue to move from predominantly research jobs into other facets of business during the course of their careers. A growing percentage of the agricultural scientists in industry would benefit from more technical, analytic, and communication skills as well as basic science education.
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From page 51... ...
scientists. These public sector scientists will research or analyze regulation and licensing, environmental protection, food safety and quality, ecology, wildlife and forest management, and related policy areas.
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