EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN AI

In the ever - changing world of genetic improvement, Artificial Insemination (AI) personnel provide critical support and are key management consultants to livestock producers. They play significant roles in each producer's genetic success.

Men and women employed by an AI organization, regardless of their position, contribute to the organization's total efforts. This brochure will highlight some of these positions and explain why each is vital.

MARKETING DEPARTMENT

TECHNICIAN

This professional provides insemination service for producers who choose AI technician service over breeding their own cows. A technician must maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate customers' needs, yet structure each day to be as efficient as possible.

The successful technician properly handles and thaws frozen semen and practices insemination techniques to produce optimum results for his customers. Many AI organizations offer refresher courses in these areas to keep the technician up to date on correct procedures.

Technicians are key people in the organization's marketing efforts because they are in direct contact with the customers. They are often asked for advice on which bulls to use and therefore need to be knowledgeable on the organization's sires. The technician is a typical entry level position in the AI industry.

Selling skills play a vital role in direct herd sales. The representative sells semen to livestock producers who breed their own cows. In addition, the sales representative delivers liquid nitrogen and supplies.

The direct herd sales representative also provides producers with valuable information on the organization's sires. The sales representative is an important resource of information for the producer and helps him determine the sires which will best meet his goal of optimum genetic improvement. The sales representative is another typical entry level position in the AI industry.

SALES MANAGER

The sales manager supervises the technicians and direct herd sales representatives for a specific geographic area. This person is the communication link between the organization's headquarters and these field personnel. The sales manager delivers vital information to the technicians and salesmen on the organization's sire lineup and marketing philosophy. In addition, customer information is conveyed back to headquarters through the sales manager.

The sales manager is also responsible for the growth and development of these employees and therefore needs to be a strong motivator.

TRAINING SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR

The training school instructor plays a key role in teaching producers and technicians how to properly handle and thaw frozen semen properly and inseminate cows. For a successful AI program this training also emphasizes general reproductive physiology, techniques of heat detection, principles of genetics, technician hygiene and disease prevention.

The instructor supports the organization's marketing efforts. Through the training school, the instructor sells the advantages of a total A.I. program to livestock producers.

MARKETING MANAGER

The marketing manager of an AI organization is responsible for its semen merchandising program. The marketing manager establishes the strategy and direction of the marketing program along with short and long term goals for the marketing team.

Experience in sales and marketing is essential to the marketing manager. This person usually has past work experience as a sales representative or area manager.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

The person working with international marketing aids the organization in merchandising semen worldwide. This position may involve extensive travel. Speaking several foreign languages can be a strong asset to success in this marketing position.

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

One of the key persons responsible for sire promotion is the advertising coordinator. The advertising coordinator's main duties include creating and placing all advertisements. To further publicize the organization's sires, sire catalogs and brochures are generated. In addition, the advertising coordinator publishes a national newsletter to keep the organization's customers informed.

Creativity is a definite asset to the advertising coordinator's skills. Furthermore, a working knowledge of computers and desk top publishing along with expertise in marketing are credentials of a successful coordinator.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

As the title indicates, this position involves both customer and employee relations. The coordinator organizes the visitor tour program so customers and prospective customers have the opportunity to observe the AI center operations. In addition, this person develops the employee newsletter and edits and distributes news releases on company events. The public relations coordinator is also responsible for trade show exhibits and organizing local and regional membership meetings.

PROGENY PHOTOGRAPH COORDINATOR

Daughter photos are key tools for marketing sires. The photo coordinator organizes picture taking efforts between the headquarters and employees to produce quality pictures of the bull's best daughters. This person is also responsible for sire photographs and the development of sire videos.

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

PRODUCTION MANAGER

This individual is responsible for overall sire management and semen production. The production manager also works closely with the center veterinarian in administering the sire health program. This person is involved in administrative planning for long range company goals.

SIRE MANAGEMENT

This individual feeds and cares for the organization's sires and is responsible for the semen collection activities. These efforts are crucial to a sire's health, longevity and semen producing ability. In addition to sire care, the sire manager also maintains the physical appearance of the sire barns on a daily basis.

FARM MANAGEMENT

The person involved in farm management plants, cultivates, and harvests the crops for the organization. Other duties include maintaining and caring for the grounds, buildings, and farm equipment.

LABORATORY SUPERVISOR/TECHNICIAN

After sire management collects the semen, the lab technician processes the collection. This includes evaluation, extension, cooling, packaging and freezing. After processing, the frozen semen is quality checked and placed into inventory and/or shipped to the sales force. The lab technician ensures that each straw of semen meets the organization's standards for hygiene, identification and quality. The laboratory supervisor is responsible for overseeing all phases of semen processing.

RESEARCH

The person involved in research is constantly investigating improved methods to produce, process, package and evaluate bull semen. This individual often provides key support to the production department, processing laboratory, quality control program and technician or field force. The researcher is also interested in the latest developments in other fields related to AI.

GENETICS DEPARTMENT

HERD EVALUATOR

The evaluator offers advice to producers on sires that can improve their herds. The job includes evaluating each cow's strengths and weaknesses and suggesting sires that will correct the worst faults. The evaluator possesses a trained eye for cattle evaluation.

SIRE PROCUREMENT

In sire procurement, the individual acquires young sires for the organization's sampling or progeny test program. As future sires these young bulls must meet certain genetic, health and semen quality standards. A sire analyst is highly trained and experienced in cattle genetics and evaluation. His selection of these young bulls determines the future strength of the company's sire lineup.

SIRE SAMPLING

Once the young bulls have entered the program, they must be accurately sampled. This involves the unbiased distribution of semen to many progeny test herds. The person responsible for sire sampling administers the progeny test program and evaluates the resulting young sire daughters. This person must also be knowledgeable in cattle genetics and be a trained evaluator.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT

GENERAL MANAGER

The general manager of an AI organization oversees all aspects of the organization. This individual possesses strong leadership and communication skills to effectively perform this comprehensive task. The manager's skills are highly developed and come from years of leadership experience in the industry.

FINANCE MANAGER

The organization's business administrator is the finance manager. This person creates and follows the company's budget and handles all financial matters. Training in business is essential to the success of the finance manager.

DATA PROCESSOR

With the increased use of computers to maintain genetic records, production date, inventories, and financial information, the person with computer skills is very valuable. From writing computer programs to data entry, the responsibilities of a data processor are diverse.

SUPPORT STAFF

For an office to operate smoothly and efficiently, a strong support staff is essential. This staff includes office assistants, receptionists, and clerical staff. The staff provides an invaluable foundation for all office co-workers.

FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN AI

EDUCATION

Education can vary from position to position, depending on job qualifications, but all require a high school diploma. In addition, "on the job training" is also a means of learning job skills.

Technical training, usually a two year program, is valuable to learn specific job requirements. The lab technician and data processor would be examples.

Bachelor of Science degrees in Dairy or Animal Sciences, Agricultural Economics,Production and Communications are valuable for positions in the Marketing, Communications, Genetics and Production Departments.

A Masters degree in Business Administration may be required for leadership positions in Marketing and Management. A Master of science or Ph.D. degree may be required for key positions in the Genetics or Production Departments and for certain research positions.

INTERNSHIPS

Many A.I. organizations offer internships to provide an individual with the opportunity to experience the industry before committing to a specific career. Most are offered during the summer and some during the school year. They can involve any phase of the organization. Internships provide the individual a very valuable background for potential employment within the AI industry.

KEY TO SUCCESS

The keys to success in any position are self- motivation and strong people skills. Utilizing these talents in one position can lead to growth in other areas of the organization.