A crop scientist has the best of both worlds: being able to work in the farming profession as well as having the stimulating challenge of being a research scientist. They are responsible for helping farmers understand soil conditions, what grows under certain conditions, and even take control of environmental issues. Continue reading to learn ten reasons to become a crop scientist to figure out if it’s a career choice that you might like to consider now or in the future.

1. The satisfaction of improving conditions for crops and farmers- Crop scientists conduct research in order to increase the yield of field crops by improving farming methods as well as developing new plant strains.

2. You can specialize in one field, according to your area of interest- Scientists usually specialize in either farming production or crop development so you can be assured of working in an area that interests you. Some scientists specialize in specific crops while others work areas such as weed control.

3. Job variety- Crop scientists can work in a variety of roles such inspectors, farmers, and even field representatives for large companies. They can be occupied in areas of research or can be self-employed as advisors to farm co-ops, farmers, and corporations.

4. Job versatility- Crop scientists work for private companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and a wide range of other types of businesses. They might work for a company that specializes in fertilizer manufacturing, or work for a government agency that does quality control inspections.

5. You can use your financial skills- Some crop scientists hold jobs as field representatives for distributing or food processing companies. These scientists are responsible for meeting with farmers and co-ops to help them set reasonable and profit-making prices for their products. Therefore, having good financial skills can be very helpful when it comes to budgeting and using spreadsheets.

6. You can use your creativity and problem-solving skills- Crop scientists can develop their own projects and work on existing projects. There are rarely any simple answers to a complicated issue so being able to think outside the box and analyze the situation are both very important.

7. Room for job advancement- Some crop scientists are able to rise in their positions, especially if they work for the government. Many take civil servant tests in order to advance within their careers while others move into other organizations.

8. Working conditions are always interesting- Working conditions will always differ depending on the type of work that the scientist is doing. A field representative and quality control specialist might travel a lot while a research scientist could spend a lot time in the laboratory. Or, you could be the type of scientist that spends the majority of their time in the farm.

9. Decent salary and benefits- Salaries will depend on the organization that you work for but are typically good and range around $50,000 per year. Benefits can be extremely good, especially if you work for the government.

10. You get to work with your hands- Even research scientists who spend the majority of their time in the lab still get to work with their hands a good amount of the time.