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Hiring Expectations for New and Future Workers in Animal Genetics Careers

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Title: Hiring Expectations for New and Future Workers in Animal Genetics Careers
Language: English
Authors: Meghan C. Wulster-Radcliffe (ORCID 0009-0001-1968-9106), James N. MacLeod, Robert J. Coleman, John S. Radcliffe (ORCID 0009-0006-3034-4156), Rebekah B. Epps (ORCID 0000-0001-9946-6182), Carol D. Hanley, Cheyenne S. Summers (ORCID 0009-0002-1888-9939), Steven A. Zinn, Sarah A. Re (ORCID 0000-0002-9961-6280)
Source: Natural Sciences Education. 2025 54(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (USDA)
Contract Number: 202311839
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Personnel Selection, Animals, Genetics, Employment Qualifications, Career Readiness, Undergraduate Students, Job Skills, Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Teamwork, Leadership, Professionalism, Career Development, Inclusion, Ethics, Knowledge Level, Industry
DOI: 10.1002/nse2.70033
ISSN: 2168-8273
2168-8281
Abstract: To better align educational outcomes with workforce demands in animal and equine genetics, this study surveyed 65 industry professionals on entry-level competencies, hiring trends, and graduate preparedness of undergraduate students. The survey assessed employer ratings on the importance and perceived proficiency of seven core competencies: critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism, career/self-development, and equity/inclusion, as well as technical knowledge and broader skills relevant to animal breeding and genetics. Results revealed oral communication, teamwork, and work ethic were rated as the most critical transferable skills, though notable proficiency gaps persist, particularly in leadership and professionalism. Foundational technical knowledge in genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics was highly prioritized at hire. While candidate quality was generally rated positively, variability in hiring practices and the evolving nature of industry needs highlight the necessity for undergraduate curricula to integrate strong technical and scientific foundations with practical, work-integrated learning and industry partnerships. Curricula should also include the development of transferable skills. These findings offer valuable guidance for updating animal and equine science genetics educational programs to better prepare graduates for a workforce increasingly driven by technological innovation, data science, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, as well as communication and work ethic.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493788
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Hiring Expectations for New and Future Workers in Animal Genetics Careers
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meghan+C%2E+Wulster-Radcliffe%22">Meghan C. Wulster-Radcliffe</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1968-9106">0009-0001-1968-9106</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22James+N%2E+MacLeod%22">James N. MacLeod</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robert+J%2E+Coleman%22">Robert J. Coleman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+S%2E+Radcliffe%22">John S. Radcliffe</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3034-4156">0009-0006-3034-4156</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebekah+B%2E+Epps%22">Rebekah B. Epps</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9946-6182">0000-0001-9946-6182</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carol+D%2E+Hanley%22">Carol D. Hanley</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cheyenne+S%2E+Summers%22">Cheyenne S. Summers</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1888-9939">0009-0002-1888-9939</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Steven+A%2E+Zinn%22">Steven A. Zinn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+A%2E+Re%22">Sarah A. Re</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9961-6280">0000-0002-9961-6280</externalLink>)
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 12
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (USDA)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personnel+Selection%22">Personnel Selection</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animals%22">Animals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Genetics%22">Genetics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Qualifications%22">Employment Qualifications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Readiness%22">Career Readiness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teamwork%22">Teamwork</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership%22">Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professionalism%22">Professionalism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Development%22">Career Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethics%22">Ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Level%22">Knowledge Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Industry%22">Industry</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/nse2.70033
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  Data: 2168-8273<br />2168-8281
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: To better align educational outcomes with workforce demands in animal and equine genetics, this study surveyed 65 industry professionals on entry-level competencies, hiring trends, and graduate preparedness of undergraduate students. The survey assessed employer ratings on the importance and perceived proficiency of seven core competencies: critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism, career/self-development, and equity/inclusion, as well as technical knowledge and broader skills relevant to animal breeding and genetics. Results revealed oral communication, teamwork, and work ethic were rated as the most critical transferable skills, though notable proficiency gaps persist, particularly in leadership and professionalism. Foundational technical knowledge in genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics was highly prioritized at hire. While candidate quality was generally rated positively, variability in hiring practices and the evolving nature of industry needs highlight the necessity for undergraduate curricula to integrate strong technical and scientific foundations with practical, work-integrated learning and industry partnerships. Curricula should also include the development of transferable skills. These findings offer valuable guidance for updating animal and equine science genetics educational programs to better prepare graduates for a workforce increasingly driven by technological innovation, data science, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, as well as communication and work ethic.
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        Value: 10.1002/nse2.70033
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Personnel Selection
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Genetics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Qualifications
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      – SubjectFull: Career Readiness
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Teamwork
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      – SubjectFull: Industry
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      – TitleFull: Hiring Expectations for New and Future Workers in Animal Genetics Careers
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