Is Agricultural Systems Technology right for me?

Do you like to solve problems? Are you a hands-on kind of person?  Are you curious about how things work?  Do you have an interest in agriculture?  If so, you should consider the Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) major as you plan for college.

The future of agriculture depends on the next generation of professionals that can manage complex technological systems.   Creative and skilled individuals, like you, can use their knowledge of agriculture and life sciences, along with the problem-solving skills of technology, to manage the new systems and solutions for the 21st Century.  Agriculture is changing faster than any time in history. That’s why, if you are interested in helping manage the future of agriculture, an AST degree is what you need.

Agricultural engineering is a very diverse major.  Students who consider this major typically don’t picture themselves just working behind a desk; they are people who like hands-on problem solving and working with people. They like to work in teams to solve societal problems related to agriculture.  Agricultural systems technologists manage systems related to agricultural equipment, water quality and water management, biorenewables and biofuels, biological products, livestock facilities, food processing, and many other agricultural areas.

What kind of jobs can I get after college?

An AST degree is a valuable resource when it comes to starting your career.  The job opportunities are plentiful and diverse.  The placement rate of AST graduates from Iowa State is 100%.

Currently, the demand for AST’s is at an all time high. Leading agricultural firms, government agencies, and consulting agencies seek AST graduates.  An AST degree will open doors around the world in large corporations and small businesses, including careers in water quality, food processing, biorenewables, environmental systems, ag structures, erosion control, grain handling and processing, agricultural power and equipment testing and management, and more.

Starting salaries for Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) graduates range from $38,000 to $67,000 per year, depending on location, employer, type of job, and internship experience. AST graduates have among the highest average starting salaries of all ISU College of Agriculture graduates. Our placement rate is nearly 100%.

AGCO
Ag Leader Technology
Ag Processing, Inc.
Agriliance LLC
Agrivision LLC
Almaco
Ames National Laboratory
Archer Daniel Midland
Bunge Corporation
Cargill
Case-New Holland
Caterpillar
Cenex Harvest States
Crop Tech Services, Inc
Dairyland Seeds
DuPont
Golden Harvest Seed Co.
Growmark, Inc.
Helena
Hogslat
Iowa DNR
Iowa Select Farms
Iowa Soybean Association
John Deere Co.
Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
Kuhn
Midwest Independent Soil Monsanto
Morton Buildings
Pinnacle Food Group
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Puck Custom Enterprises
River Valley Forest Services
Sage Ag
Seneca Foods Corporation
Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Syngenta
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Van Wall Group
Vermeer
Winfield Solutions

Crop Specialist
Customer Support Technician
Dairy Equipment Specialist
Design Technician
District Sales Manager
Elevator Manager
Experimental Mechanic
Farmer/Owner/Operator
Field Engineer
Field Representative
Maintenance Supervisor
Network Engineer
Operations Manager
Precision Agriculture Specialist
Production Supervisor
Program Technician
Research Technician
Safety Specialist
Shift/Production Supervisor
Structures Sales Representative
Structures Specialist
Technical Service Representative
Territory Aftermarket Manager
Territory Sales Manager
Test Technician