As Megan McGrady, senior education consultant at the National FFA Organization, describes it, “The most robust ag career tool for teachers and students to explore over 300 careers” is now even better. The updated AgExplorer boasts more than 65 new career profiles, thanks to partner AgCareers.com, as well as three new career focus areas — sustainability, agricultural technology and skilled trades.
A new look and feel also spotlight a renovated career finder, now named “My Career Quiz,” with double the questions as before. With an added focus on personal interests and updated professional preferences, such as hybrid/remote working conditions, the goal is to “really get to know the student and who they are at heart,” McGrady says.
After all, AgExplorer is the students’ domain. “Not all career sites are student-friendly,” McGrady notes, “but this one is easy to use. Students return to this resource.” She points out its “meaningful information that students understand” instead of “paragraphs of unending content.” It’s also engaging, with virtual field trips that give students behind-the-scenes looks at industry partners. Plus, this unique, one-stop shop now offers an even clearer connection between future career options and current FFA experience: Each job profile suggests FFA and SAE connections to help develop skills related to that role.
“We don’t want AgExplorer to be a tool that is stagnant,” McGrady says. “We want it to be relevant and help students find their place in agriculture.” It helps achieve that whether or not students pursue one of the site’s five personalized career suggestions. “Even just becoming exposed to the variety of agriculture jobs makes you a more ag-literate consumer, and that makes you a better overall consumer,” McGrady adds.
“It’s important to see all that’s available because it makes you more informed and grows your appreciation for the industry,” she says. “And that makes a more positive industry as a whole.”
Visit AgExplorer.FFA.org to see the new features in action.
