Resource Magazine September/October 2020
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September/October 2020 Vol. 27 No. 5 www.asabe.org/Resource engineering and technology for a sustainable world September/October 2020 Magazine staff: Joseph C. Walker, Publisher, [email protected]; Melissa Miller, Managing Editor, [email protected]; Glenn Laing, Welcome to our eighth issue of EXPLORE! You might be getting ready to start a new chapter of Technical Editor, [email protected]; your life. Maybe you will soon be leaving home for college, choosing a major, making new Sandy Rutter, Consultants Listings, [email protected]; Darrin Drollinger, friends, searching for a career. Whatever path you take, it might all come together with agricul- Executive Director, [email protected]. tural technology and systems management (ASM). EXPLORE is a good place to start your search, Editorial Board: Chair Stephen Zahos, you might just find the road to your future success on these pages. University of Illinois; Secretary/Vice Chair Erin Webb, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Past Chair Tony Grift, University of Illinois. If you aren’t familiar with an ag systems degree, read on! We think you will be impressed with the diverse and interesting possibilities—from hands-on internships and study abroad to jobs Board Members: Morgan Hayes, University of Kentucky; Deepak Kumar, University of Illinois; awaiting ag systems graduates. If you have decisions ahead, you may discover that you like Sushant Mehan, The Ohio State University; what ag systems has to offer. Gretchen Mosher, Iowa State University; Debabrata Sahoo, Clemson University; Leon Schumacher, University of Missouri; Brian 4 Your Ag Systems Questions Answered Steward, Iowa State University; Shane Williams, Kuhn North America. 6 Your road to success–Advice from our EXPLORE participants Resource: engineering and technology for a 7 Adiel Di Bartolomeo, sustainable world (ISSN 1076-3333) University of Illinois (USPS 009-560) is published six times per 8 Matt Reidenbach, University of Missouri year—January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, 9 Matthew Sperry, South Dakota State University November/December—by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological 10 Noelle Hinrichs, Iowa State University Engineers (ASABE), 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. 11 Chase Gripp, Purdue University POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 12 Matt Harper, University of Arkansas and University of Illinois Resource, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. Periodical postage is paid at 13 Courtney Nelson, University of NebraskaLincoln St. Joseph, MI, USA, and additional post 9 offices. 14 Rachel Myers Jarman, The Ohio State University ADVERTISING: www.asabe.org/advertise. 16 Galen Kreifels, University of NebraskaLincoln SUBSCRIPTIONS: Contact ASABE order department, 269-932-7004. 17 Jayce Zilles, Utah State University COPYRIGHT 2020 by American Society of 18 Lauren Krogman, Texas A&M University Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Permission to reprint articles available on 19 Michael Kule, Clemson University request. Reprints can be ordered in large 20 quantities for a fee. Contact Sandy Rutter, Michael Trazzera, Penn State University 269-932-7004. Statements in this publica- 22 tion represent individual opinions. Tommy Stephenson, Wake Technical Community College Resource: engineering and technology for a and North Carolina State University sustainable world and ASABE assume no 23 responsibility for statements and opinions Clay Honeycutt, North Carolina State University expressed by contributors. Views advanced 24 in the editorials are those of the contributors Brandon Narcisse, University of Illinois and do not necessarily represent the official 17 25 YvesEdouard (Eddy) Mondesir, University of Illinois position of ASABE. 26 Think Green! The poly-bag protecting this Sierra Nunez, University of Florida magazine can be recycled. Just toss it in 27 with your other recycling. Finding your path ... Road to college 29 Career Opportunities Advertising Schools ON THE COVER: 2 Texas A&M University Sierra Nunez, University of 30 Professional Listings Florida, will graduate in May 8 University of Missouri 2021 with her Agricultural 10 Iowa State University Operations Management 11 Purdue University degree. 15 University of NebraskaLincoln 21 Penn State University American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 23 North Carolina State University 2950 Niles Road St. Joseph, MI 31 University of Illinois 49085-9659, USA 32 University of Florida 269.429.0300, 13 fax 269.429.3852 [email protected], www.asabe.org Your Ag Systems questions answered! What is an agricultural systems degree? How does a degree in An agricultural systems degree combines an understand agricultural systems ing of the agricultural, biological, and physical sciences with differ from a business, managerial, and technical skills. Graduates with degree in this type of degree find careers in the production and pro agricultural cessing of agricultural products into food, fiber, feed and engineering? fuel, and the distribution of agricultural products and serv Today, engineers ices. Careers in renewable energy, biofuels, and environ and agricultural systems mental quality are emerging. Students focus on the graduates both work with the application of engineering principles, the study of technol same types of buildings and ogy used in agriculture, and the integration of business equipment, the same crops and management concepts in the agricultural and food indus animals, the same sensors and com tries. However, the skills taught in agricultural systems puters, and the global society, yet there courses are applicable in many industries, and a significant is a distinct difference in the work they do. The engineer is number of students find employment in other industries. trained to analyze and design a process, system, or mecha This degree is ideal for those interested in technical sales or nism, while the agricultural systems graduate is able to technical management for an agriculturerelated business identify system problems, formulate possible solutions, involved in production, processing, or manufacturing. analyze the impact of alternatives (including social and eco nomic dimensions), and then implement the best solution. Why do the university programs have so Agricultural systems graduates get a broad and basic back many different names? ground in agriculture and the physical sciences, along with Prior to the early 1990s, most of the programs were sim courses in business, economics, and management. When ply called agricultural mechanization. Careers for agricul comparing agricultural systems to engineering, you will find tural systems graduates have expanded far beyond that agricultural systems programs are less theoretical and mechanization. Many universities have changed the scope more practical. Emphasis is on handson experiences with of their programs to focus on emerging technologies as equipment, and many courses have laboratory sections. they apply to food, energy, and environmental systems, in addition to traditional agricultural systems. These programs What do I need to know to get into the program? address society’s need to efficiently utilize natural resources An aptitude for science and math, plus an interest in solv and protect the environment. The names reflect the philos ing problems, is really necessary for this field. You should ophy of the school in responding to these issues. So, also have an interest in electronics, computing, and busi although they may have different names, these programs ness management. In high school, prepare well in mathe are often quite similar. Program names currently in use are: matics, physical and biological sciences, and agriculture. • Agricultural Education, Communications and Take the most advanced high school courses available to Technology you in these areas and, if possible, take courses such as CAD • Agricultural and Environmental Technology and information systems. You don’t have to be a math wiz • Agricultural Engineering Technology ard to be an agricultural systems student, but mathematics • Agricultural Operations Management is used a great deal. • Agricultural Systems Management • Agricultural Systems Technology Do I need a background in agriculture for this • Agricultural Technology Management major? • Agricultural Mechanization and Business No. This curriculum has the flexibility to allow students • Agricultural Technology and Systems Management from rural, suburban, and urban backgrounds to develop a • Bioresources Engineering Technology program to meet their personal career objectives. • Construction Science and Agricultural Systems • Engineering Technology Program Is this a good option for women and minorities? • Mechanized Systems Management This field is a great option for women and minorities. The • Renewable Systems number of women and minorities entering the field contin • Technical Systems Management ues to rise. • Sustainable Systems Management. 4 September/October 2020 RESOURCE Are internships available? How many hours a day will I need to study? Yes! This curriculum offers many opportunities for intern Will I have time for extracurricular activities? ship work experiences in a variety of companies and organ How much time you devote to your studies depends izations. Many experiences are paid internships. For some upon you and your expectations? Many colleges say that for programs, internships are required for graduation. every hour you spend in class (often 15 hours/week) you should spend approximately