Having taken on more than 10 graduates over the past two years, diet feeder maker Richard Keenan and Co has a clear vision of what it is looking for in the sales professionals and nutrition specialists of the future.

The company's human resources manager Tina Clerkin says Keenan looks for high-calibre students with an agricultural science qualification who are seeking a career in a progressive environment where delivering real solutions for clients is important.

"The opportunities are endless - career development, comprehensive training and exposure to all aspects of the business, good rewards for high performance with the opportunity to travel."

Newly qualified graduates are placed on a one-year graduate programme, the focus being on developing leaders of the future who have a relevant educational background and skills to work in a challenging environment. "Fundamental to this is providing graduates with a detailed understanding of all aspects of the business including sales, nutrition, marketing, customer service, manufacturing, engineering and administration through a detailed programme of training and assessment."

And though the quality of students coming out of agricultural colleges and universities is improving, Ms Clerkin says it is becoming increasingly difficult to source the right type of graduate.

"We don't have any particular loyalties with any one college or university, providing the graduate is right for us. They don't necessarily need to have a BSc in an agriculturally related subject, but it is a definite advantage. It also helps if they have a farming background, after all it is important they understand and are able to talk farming as well as have the ability to communicate and influence farmers."

Case study - Seth Wareing

Having gained a BSc Hons in animal management from Northampton University, Seth Wareing began as a Keenan graduate trainee in November 2005. He has since progressed to the position of system specialist and is involved with both the Keenan Klassik machine itself and the nutritional support the company provides.

Though he did not follow the common route of taking an agricultural degree, his studies in animal nutrition (and a longing to one day work in the field of cattle nutrition) led him towards a career that involved cattle diet formulations, problem solving and performance measuring.

"I also get involved with sales by holding farmer meetings and demonstrations and forging links within the wider industry, by talking to vets, auctioneers, breed societies, etc."

Seth is looking forward to a long career with Keenan. "The opportunities are endless. Ideally, I'd like to travel the world with the company, particularly the Australian market, with the long-term aim of becoming a well-respected and noted cattle nutritionist."

But even though there are opportunities out there, Seth says students really have to go and look for them. "These jobs don't come out of nowhere. You have to be prepared to work hard looking for them, excel in an interview and then gain the respect of the company for them to believe in helping you progress your career."