There’s estimated to be six jobs to every agricultural science graduate in Australia - this is especially true in Tasmania with 80 per cent of Bachelor of Agricultural Science students graduating in Launceston this week with jobs lined-up in the agricultural industry, with many receiving multiple offers of employment.
It’s a milestone moment for the course in northern Tasmania. The students who graduated on Thursday are the first cohort of Bachelor of Agricultural Science students to graduate in Launceston.
The course has been available for students to undertake face-to-face in both Hobart and Launceston since 2023.
Graduating student Bronte Legro, of Launceston, welcomed the opportunity to study close to home.
“Studying Agricultural Science in Launceston has been a huge advantage. I’ve been able to continue working in the industry while completing my degree, which has helped me build strong professional networks and directly apply my studies,” she said.
“Being surrounded by diverse farms and agribusinesses also means we’ve been constantly exposed to real-world practice and innovation.”
Fellow graduate Theo Ives also enjoyed the benefits of being able to stay and study in his hometown.
“The freedom to not have to sacrifice other parts of my life, such as football and work was welcome. Being so close to a lot of the state’s intensive agriculture in the north of the state also benefitted students,” Theo said.
The Bachelor of Agricultural Science students were among a total of 375 University of Tasmania students who graduated in ceremonies in Launceston on Wednesday and Thursday.
They’re among a cohort of students graduating in Launceston, joined by their peers in Hobart the following week.
Next year, Bronte will start work with Rabobank’s Country Banking Graduate Program, working in different locations around Australia.
“I’m excited to step further into the agribusiness side of the industry, expand my professional network and gain exposure to a diverse range of farming systems and clients. I also plan to pursue further study in agribusiness,” she said.
Theo gained employment in the industry while still studying.
“I started working as a field officer for Extractas Bioscience in September this year, so I look forward to continuing to pursue my passion in this job into the future. Looking further ahead I’d love to pursue some type of international aid work.”
TIA Director Professor Mike Rose said there are many benefits to expanding the course delivery to Launceston, as well as Hobart.
“Delivering the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from both Hobart and Launceston has enabled more students to study closer to home by removing some of the barriers to study that may arise through geographic location,” he said.
“We want to create opportunities for more Tasmanians to study closer to home and have designed our course to align with the unique demands of the Tasmanian agricultural industry.
“The course is a very hands-on high quality educational experience for our students, leveraging the agricultural industry in northern Tasmania along with the world-leading research that TIA conducts.”
Professor Rose said students who graduate from the University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science have rewarding careers.
“Our graduates are in high demand and students studying our bachelor of agricultural science usually have job offers before they graduate,” he said.
“The Bachelor of Agricultural Science offers a diversity of career paths and opportunities. It can lead to a range of careers in the private, government and non-government sectors not only on farms, but in scientific research, business, policy and regulation.”