Careers in Agriculture

Throughout the research, planning and creation of our Archibull project, we have all learnt just how important the Australian wool industry is to our country and its economy. It is one of our main exports, with China taking up to 75% of our wool and other countries such as India and Italy also purchasing huge amounts of Aussie wool. However, despite being such a huge part of our country, Australian citizens often overlook just how complicated the industry is, and how many varying careers it generates.

There are countless careers involved in the wool industry, both on-farm and off-farm. On-farm careers include farmers, wool growers, shearers, wool-classers, wool-pressers, veterinarians, merchandisers for medicine for animals, animal nutritionists, research scientists. Off-farm careers include truck drivers, wool testers, wool buyers, wool broker, mill operators, fashion designers, distribution centres, runway models and many more.

None of us were aware of just how many incredible careers were integral to the wool industry, all of them with their own unique responsibilities and experiences, until Samantha Wan, our school’s young farmer, came to visit. She explained all of these careers, including her own - Samantha Wan is a wool broker, and has had incredible opportunities and successes throughout her career. Right before she came to visit, she had not only received an amazing award for her incredible work, but had also been on a business trip to Italy, all for a job that is so often overlooked. Many of us are sure to take more of an interest in the wool industry after learning so much about all of the different careers and meeting such an incredible member of the industry itself.