To start your career in the horse industry consider the following five points and be prepared to follow them!
1. Be prepared to volunteer: There are volunteer opportunities in almost every aspect of the horse industry. The ?trial run? and on-the-jobtraining that goes along with volunteering time and energy to an equine related career provides a basis to make informed decisions about a career you are thinking of pursuing. It also contributes to building your contacts for networking.
2. Start networking: Start with the people you already know, and ask for their advice and suggestions. People who know and are interested in you can create a powerful web of contacts. Remember that while an introduction from a friend or contact is very helpful, once the door is opened, you’ll need to be ready to act on your own, so do your homework.
3. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses: What are you good at and what do you like to do? Every job has aspects that are more fun than others. Look for job openings that include a good portion of responsibility in
your strongest area and promote those strengths to potential employers. If you find an opportunity that fits your strengths, and also covers areas that you identified as weaknesses, don’t give up, consider improving
those needed skills.
4. Sharpen the ax and keep an open mind: Consider classes, certifications, or degrees that might strengthen your skills and make you a more attractive candidate for the career of your choice. Also remember that a foot-in-the door job might be the first step on the path to your ideal position.
5. Check the classifieds: Both trade and lay publications routinely publish classified ads for positions in the horse industry. American Horse Publications is a non-profit professional association that maintains a web site that posts career opportunities specifically in equine publishing, but many organizations use their site to notify the industry at large of openings in associations and business. Their website is at
www.americanhorsepubs.com
This article is presented courtesy of the American Youth Horse Council.