For four young Waikato University graduates the question is not 'will I get a job?” but 'which job will I take?”

Thomas Macdonald, Steven Law, Stephanie Wilson and Alana Scott have all elected to take agri-business degrees and while many art degree graduates are worried about finding employment, these four know they are likely to have job offers to choose from.

Waikato University agri-business students Steven Law, Stephanie Wilson, Alana Scott and Thomas Macdonald believe more young people should consider a career in the primary sector.

All say many college students are unaware of the diverse employment opportunities agriculture offers and each recommend students seriously consider agri-business studies.

Stephanie knows exactly where her future is heading. She has just completed her last year of study and joined Bbc Technologies Ltd of Ohaupo, which specialises in developing and manufacturing advanced technologies for a wide range of crops, selling its equipment around the world.

Steven began his studies through a polytechnic course in Whakatane before transferring to Waikato University in Hamilton. Spending two years at home, and gaining scholarships enabled him to keep down his student loan, as well as refine his career aspirations.

Thomas is in his third year of an agri-business degree and his long term goals are to go into farming. He sees the skills he gains through formal study and through employment in the world of agri-business will be invaluable in running a farming business.

Alana wants to become an agribusiness consultant and believes there needs to be more emphasis among New Zealand producers on marketing the primary products they grow.

The four believe it is vital the importance of New Zealand's primary industries is continually highlighted because of the increasing urban/rural divide and a general lack of understanding of how vital agricultural and horticulture are to the country's economy.

Farming is not just for the students who struggle at school. It is an industry which needs the brightest and best brains and the career opportunities are exciting, they say.

The students each presented papers before 240 delegates at the New Zealand Grassland Conference in Tauranga last week. Stephanie's subject was a case study on farming systems, Thomas looked at co-operatives, Alana's topic was dairy and Steve's was deer.