7 great reasons to attend Ag Careers Live
© Tim Scrivener Ag Careers Live is the place to find your perfect career in agriculture, whether you’re still studying, just starting out, or looking to move to your next role.
Farmers Weekly outlines why you need to be there.
1. Opportunities for all
Whether you are a student, recent graduate or someone considering a career move, Ag Careers Live will have something for you.
It’s a place where you can come to ask questions, listen, learn and be inspired.
You will be able to get guidance on what to study and where, as well as career progression advice. There will also be a diverse range of employers in attendance who will have their eyes peeled for new talent.
See also: Find out more about Ag Careers Live
Learn about learning
Land-based careers are diverse and require a number of different skills – which means that the educational opportunities offered by colleges and universities are diverse, too.
Ag Careers Live will be an opportunity to chat to representatives from a range of different educational establishments to work out which is the best course for you – whether that’s at a further education level, higher level or postgraduate.
If you want the chance to earn while you learn, there will also be people on hand who can talk about apprenticeships, including the new trailblazer apprenticeships.
Inspirational speakers
There is a full programme of seminars planned for the day, with leading industry speakers covering topics ranging from how to make a good first impression to what skills will be in hot demand over the next five to 10 years.
Come along and be inspired.
Seminar programme
10-10.30am The future of agriculture
Richard Bower, chair, NFU’s Next Generation Forum
10.30-11am What can a mentor bring to your career development?
Philip Wynn, director of mentoring, Henry Plumb Foundation
11.30am-12pm Why you should consider a job in sales
Speaker TBC
12-12.30pm Getting into agronomy: What does it take and where can it lead you?
This session will discuss exactly what the role of an agronomist is, how to get Basis qualified and where a role in agronomy can lead you.
Speaker TBC, Hutchinsons
12.30-1pm How to make a good first impression when starting out
Abi Reader, dairy farmer, Goldsland Farm
1-1.30pm Jobs for the future
James Trett, MD, JP Trett
1.30pm-2pm Being an entrepreneur: modernising a fifth-generation farm
Joe Howard, director, Howard Farms
2pm-2.30pm Are good people skills the key to career progression?
Speaker TBC, AgriFood Training Partnership
2.30pm-3pm Using social media to get a job in agriculture
Simon Haley, rural business and social media adviser, Social Jungle
Mentor’s corner
Back by popular demand will be mentor’s corner, which gives you the opportunity to get tailored advice on your career options from leading figures in the agricultural industry.
The idea is that you will have the opportunity to sit down for a 20-minute, one-on-one session with one of our mentors who can act as a sounding board and give advice on how to make the most of your career.
This will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with visitors signing up on the day for an allocated time slot.
This year’s mentors include:
- Jane King, chief executive, AHDB
- Keith Norman, technical director – arable, Velcourt
- Tim Green, agriculture director, NSF Agriculture
- Leigh Morris, chief executive, National Land Based College
- Richard Phelps, group agriculture director, ABP UK
- Freddie Pullan, technical training manager, Agco
- Richard Bower, chairman of NFU Next Generation Forum
The seminar programme also includes a session with Philip Wynn, director of mentoring for the Henry Plumb Foundation, who will talk about what a mentor can bring to your career development.
LinkedIn photobooth
LinkedIn has become a vital tool for recruiters to identify potential talent, so you need to make sure your entry gets noticed.
According to research by LinkedIn, profiles with photos get viewed more than those without and people are also more likely to make connections if they can see you.
So make sure you pop along to the LinkedIn photobooth, where you can get a professional headshot taken to help you promote your personal brand on social media.
CV clinic
If you are wondering whether your CV does you justice, bring it along to be looked over by experts from independent consultancy The Write Stuff.
Your CV is the single most important part of getting a job. If you don’t grab an employer’s attention from the start, you won’t even get an interview. Silly mistakes can be costly.
Our CV clinic gives you a chance to get some independent advice about your current CV and tips on how to improve it. Our experts will show you how to highlight your strongest attributes and achievements and avoid being sent straight to the recycling bin.
Are you interview-ready?
You can use the day to speak directly to potential employers and some of their employees, who can tell you what their jobs are really like.
There will be more than 40 exhibitors in attendance, many of whom will have vacancies to fill. They are looking for people with all levels of experience – from new starters to individuals with a proven track record who are looking for the next step up.
You will be able visit the Jobs Wall, which will provide visitors with the latest career opportunities in the agricultural industry and the chance to apply to a number of vacancies.
Interview rooms will also be available on site, so you may find that an informal chat turns into something more productive. Make sure you are ready to sell yourself.