A GROUP of senior secondary students passionate about careers in agribusiness spent two days of their school holidays experiencing life at university.
The agribusiness taster course was hosted by Charles Sturt University at Muresk campus near Northam last week.
Head of the school of agribusiness, Dr Christine Storer, said the experience helped students understand the career opportunities available in agriculture. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"The demand for workers is out there but if you ask high school students what careers they'd like, it is rare for them to pick jobs in agribusiness," she said.
"They don't understand what agribusiness involves and often think it is only for people who own a farm."
One student, Jay Woods from Calingiri, said he was interested in a career in agricultural consulting and understood that agriculture was bigger than the family farm.
"When people think of agriculture they just think of farmers when really there is much more happening," he said.
"A career in agriculture would be good."
Kate Craig from Dongara said she understood the global impact of a strong agricultural sector.
"I think I will stay with agriculture because I don't like working inside," she said.
"I 'd like to make a difference so we produce the best food we can, not just for Australia, but for the world."
Other students who took part in the taster were from across south west WA including Pinjarra, Coorow, Capel, Merredin and Manjimup.
The program included tours of the farm and campus as well as involvement in a lecture, field work, laboratory sessions and a social gathering in the evening.