Is becoming an agronomist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming an agronomist is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an agronomist or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become an Agronomist
High school students who are interested in a career in agronomy can begin by taking more math and science classes. In college or university, students can major in an agriculture degree and seek out courses in agronomy.
Internships in agronomy are available through government agencies, private companies, and through researchers on staff at universities looking for assistants. This is a valuable way for students to gain practical experience upon graduation.
It is possible to become an agronomist with only a bachelor’s degree of science and to learn while on the job, though many people consider a master’s degree if they plan to work in research.
There are three certifications in agronomy: Certified Crop Adviser - CCA, Certified Professional Agronomist - CPAg, and Certified Professional Soil Scientist/Classifier - CPSS and CPSC.
Becoming professionally certified usually requires meeting the educational requirements and two years experience as an agronomist. A certified agronomist must keep up with advances in the field in order to retain their certification. This is done by taking and completing any new courses that are offered.