MEET THE PRO: Taylor Scott, Agriculture Technician
By Arkansas Next on Monday, October 25, 2021
Hometown: Bay
Age: 22
Where I trained: Arkansas State University–Newport
What I earned: Associate Degree of General Studies, Associate Degree of Agriculture Technology
Job title: Operations trainee
Employer: Greenway Equipment in Jonesboro
Taylor Scott was raised on a farm and started working at age 12. As she got older, she moved up to driving tractors and fell in love with heavy equipment. She had gone to school with the plan to get a four-year arts degree but soon realized she’d be happier in agriculture. She liked that she got to graduate sooner without “filler classes” she wouldn’t need and with less debt. Her education led her to an internship and now her job at Greenway.
Taylor likes her job because she gets to interact with farmers and fix their equipment while also working with a company that takes care of its employees like family.
"I wanted to be in the farming community and wanted to stay around my hometown, and this allows me to do both. Plus, it’s allowing me to learn how I can help my family on the farm too." – Taylor
WHAT DOEs an Agricultural Equipment Operator DO?
Help farmers and mechanics fix their equipment by procuring mechanical parts; assemble, adjust, operate, maintain, modify and test machinery
Responsibilities
- Organizing freight
- Categorize product/parts
- Procure parts for customers
- Help technicians and mechanics with parts
Education needed: Certificate or associate degree
Job Outlook
► +4% expected growth by 2029 in Arkansas
► 25,100 jobs in Arkansas by 2029
► 2,800 average annual job openings in Arkansas
This option is for you if
- Communication is a strong suit
- You’re a problem solver
- You’re a good listener
- You’re detail-oriented
- You work well with other people
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$60,590
Median wages in Arkansas
$39,170 Annual
$10.42 Hourly
START YOUR TRAINING
• Arkansas State University–Beebe
• Arkansas State University–Newport
• Black River Technical College
• Cargill
• Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
• Simmons Foods
• Stribling Equipment
• Tyson Foods Inc.
READY TO HIRE YOU
• Cargill
• OK Foods
• Simmons Foods
• Stribling Equipment
• Tyson Foods Inc.
Source: bls.gov and careeronestop.org
