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What college would be the best to go to?
I am thinking of pursuing a career in agricultural software programming and I am curious what college would be the best to give me this education. Also it would be nice to try to find a college in or around Minnesota.
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5 answers
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Diane’s Answer
Hi Nicholas - The University of Minnesota and The University of Wisconsin offer a degree in Agricultural Software Programming/Engineering and Michigan has 3 universities that offer degrees Agricultural/Agricultural Engineering: Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University and the University of Michigan. Research each university and the program as well as visiting/taking a tour of each campus to determine which university would best fit your academic needs. Best of luck!
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Matt’s Answer
This may be obvious, but the first thing that came to mind when I saw this was:
I guess the first thing I'd ask is:
What interests you more: Agricultural topics or Programming (ie, Computer Science/Information Technology) ?
If you answer: "Agricultural" then I would find a good school that offers majors in things like: Environmental Science, Horticulture, Animal Science, Park Management and Conservation (just to name a few) - but now, be sure they have a good computing department (and this is important) and faculty that encourages cross school work (ie, projects that involve multiple majors)
The reverse is also true - A school with a great computer science department and limited agricultural majors isn't very useful (and less useful if they don't do inter-University projects)
hope that helps you think about the question a bit differently
-Matt Ganis
I guess the first thing I'd ask is:
What interests you more: Agricultural topics or Programming (ie, Computer Science/Information Technology) ?
If you answer: "Agricultural" then I would find a good school that offers majors in things like: Environmental Science, Horticulture, Animal Science, Park Management and Conservation (just to name a few) - but now, be sure they have a good computing department (and this is important) and faculty that encourages cross school work (ie, projects that involve multiple majors)
The reverse is also true - A school with a great computer science department and limited agricultural majors isn't very useful (and less useful if they don't do inter-University projects)
hope that helps you think about the question a bit differently
-Matt Ganis
Updated
Celeste’s Answer
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign has a Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences. I remember touring there when I was deciding where to go for a degree in computer science and boy was there a lot of agricultural degrees. This is primarily due to its location. Sorry that's all I know.
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Ken’s Answer
Just like the advice given before, it's important to consider the balance between education in farming and education in software programming. Since programming requires specific technical skills and knowledge, it might be a good idea to choose a school that gives you a strong basis in this area without limiting you to one specific industry. Once you've got these programming skills, you'll be able to use them in many different fields, including farming.
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hi Nicholas or others interested in this question.
Very valid question. Picking a university that offers a program / degree in your field of interest is important, but I'd offer a point to not over stress "finding the best", or "i didn't get into the best". The school isn't the biggest factor of accelerating your career, that is yourself. What's most important is that you make the most of the education and experience. Individuals that are best at maximizing this, they give themselves the biggest chance at career opportunities. Additionally, finding opportunities to do internships late in university to get jump start on experiences. If you do these things, the university you go to (as long as it has your field of interest) won't quite matter as much, can be local or out-of-state. You ultimately make the most of it.
Very valid question. Picking a university that offers a program / degree in your field of interest is important, but I'd offer a point to not over stress "finding the best", or "i didn't get into the best". The school isn't the biggest factor of accelerating your career, that is yourself. What's most important is that you make the most of the education and experience. Individuals that are best at maximizing this, they give themselves the biggest chance at career opportunities. Additionally, finding opportunities to do internships late in university to get jump start on experiences. If you do these things, the university you go to (as long as it has your field of interest) won't quite matter as much, can be local or out-of-state. You ultimately make the most of it.