Feeding 8-billion people is no easy feat – and as the global population approaches this threshold, the demand for food and agricultural products only continues to increase. Agriculture technician support improved farm efficiency, productivity and sustainability by conducting experiments and coordinating the operation of farming fields. Agriculture technicians are problem solvers – they set up and maintain lab equipment, collect crop and/or animal samples, record data, research and analyze findings. To address the ongoing challenges both locally and globally, agricultural technicians’ ongoing research and implementation is critical.

Did you know there are over 100 different types of soil and a large array of environmental factors that affect how productive these soils are? Agronomists are the soil doctors that study the relationship between soil and plant life, they work to improve soil quality and productivity, plant health, seed quality and the nutritional value of crops.

If you’ve ever asked “Alexa, what’s the weather today?” then you’re familiar with the work of machine engineers. Machine engineers curate and program large data sets that ultimately function as the “brain” of artificial intelligence devices, allowing them to operate independently.

How can we grow crops that resist disease, withstand droughts or yield larger produce? Bioengineers solve issues like these by enhancing or augmenting biological processes. This may mean working to develop a transgenic papaya that resists the ringspot virus, a strain of cotton plant that is able to tolerate herbicides or a type of popcorn that produces more kernels. In this way, bioengineers help improve the productivity of crops used for food, fiber and fuel.

Chemical engineers are in the business of making chemical manufacturing safe and efficient. They design chemical plant equipment and create processes for chemicals and products that are essential to everyday manufacturing—gasoline, rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper and more. And they do it all by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics and engineering.

Chemists are the leaders in the lab, with the ability to think both qualitatively and quantitatively. Known for their high quality standards, they produce chemical analyses that allow us to continually discover and deepen our knowledge about the world we live in. We only get one Earth—and with a chemist’s help—we understand it more deeply and can make better decisions for how we treat it.

What does climate change mean for our planet’s future? For the future of our society? Climate change analysts answer these questions by researching and evaluating data to make scientific predictions about our climate system’s future. They lead the global movement for protecting Earth’s natural resources by using their research to inform world leaders and make actionable recommendations for sustainability.

Cloud computing is a necessity in today’s business landscape, and cloud engineers are the experts in all things cloud-based. “Should I take storage from my computer to the cloud?” “Is my data information secure?” These are problems and questions that cloud engineers solve through managing, planning, building and monitoring cloud systems.

Do you love to tell a story? Is talking to people one of your strengths? Being a communications manager could be the career for you! Overseeing a brand’s internal and external messaging, this role is vital to ensuring an organization’s message is clear, consistent and aligns with a company’s goals and objectives.

Did you know that the first computer took 3 years to build and weighed over 50 tons?! Thanks to the work of computer and information research scientists, computers are now small enough to fit on your wrist, and process data 100,000 times faster. These scientists develop innovative ways to improve the efficiency and functionality of complex computing systems, enabling us to access information more quickly, store data more securely and automate tasks and processes. Their work advances agriculture, healthcare, business and education, helping make all aspects of life more productive.

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