Abstract

This study examined job postings within the fields of agriculture and natural resources, targeting entry-level positions that require a bachelor’s degree. Through a content analysis, eleven discrete skills were identified and categorized as soft skills or technical skills. In general, soft skills were referenced more often than technical skills. Soft skills such as interpersonal skills and communication skills were predominantly referenced across job postings. The most-referenced technical skillset pertained to computer skills, where the posting typically identified a specific computer program. These findings implicate undergraduate programs to incorporate opportunities for soft-skill development in curricula in addition to learning content knowledge and field-specific tools.