College of Education & Human Services

College Student Personnel

Major Matchup Guide for Agriculture Majors

A major in agriculture may seem distinct from a master's degree in student affairs, but the two fields share many transferable skills and values. Agriculture emphasizes leadership, community building, problem-solving, and diversity awareness—qualities that are equally essential in student affairs. Students majoring in agriculture often gain experience working with diverse communities, organizing events, and managing projects, all of which align with the core responsibilities of a student affairs professional. Here’s how an agriculture major and student affairs master's degree intersect:

  1. Leadership and Management Skills: Agriculture majors often develop leadership and management abilities through managing projects, teams, and resources. These skills transfer well to student affairs, where leadership is critical for overseeing programs and student groups.
  2. Community Building: Agriculture involves working with communities, whether through cooperative efforts or agricultural extension services. Student affairs professionals also focus on fostering inclusive, engaged campus communities, creating a natural alignment.
  3. Problem-Solving and Innovation: In agriculture, students face complex problems requiring innovative solutions, such as environmental issues and sustainability. These problem-solving skills are valuable in student affairs when addressing student needs and developing effective programs.
  4. Event Planning and Organization: Agricultural majors often organize community events, fairs, or educational workshops, skills that directly apply to programming in student affairs, such as organizing campus events or student engagement activities.
  5. Diversity and Inclusion: Agriculture often involves working with diverse groups, including different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. In student affairs, fostering an inclusive environment is a core responsibility, requiring sensitivity to diversity.
  6. Mentorship and Advising: Agriculture majors may serve as mentors in agricultural clubs or cooperative groups, experience that is useful in advising roles within student affairs, where guiding students is key.
  7. Sustainability Initiatives: Sustainability is a key concern in agriculture, and student affairs departments often work on sustainability efforts on campuses. Agriculture graduates can lead these green initiatives, promoting sustainability education.
  8. Adaptability and Flexibility: Agricultural work requires adaptability to changing environments, such as weather or market shifts. Student affairs professionals also need flexibility to respond to the dynamic nature of student needs and institutional changes.

Agriculture students bring a unique, sustainability-oriented perspective to student affairs. This interdisciplinary approach broadens the scope of student affairs work and fosters innovative solutions to campus challenges.

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Major Matchup

Joey Riosh, LEJA Major
Lori Jackson, CSP '23

B.S. Agricultural Science
Western Illinois University, '21

Illinois Farm Bureau, Youth & Collegiate Program Coordinator

Through my ag classes, student organizations and assistantship, I learned many skills that overlapped with student affairs. I got to combine my passion for agriculture and student affairs by working with college students with a shared love for the industry and a future career within agriculture.

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