Trends in Soil Science Education and Employment

During recent strategic planning exercises, the SSSA identified several trends related to the soil science profession: 1) declining academic programs and course offerings at land-grant universities, 2) decreased enrollments, and 3) improved employment opportunities for soil science graduates. To quantify these trends, the SSSA conducted surveys in 2008 of soil science students, academic departments in the U.S. and Canada offering soil science courses/degrees, and employers hiring people with soil science backgrounds. Survey results confirmed that employment opportunities in soil and related sciences are increasing, although employers generally thought it would be more difficult to find soil science trained employees in the future. Although most departments indicated that student enrollments have not changed greatly over the last decade, future increases in enrollments will likely come from students enrolled in environmental and other related sciences as opposed to traditional soil science degree programs. All survey groups provided positive comments regarding the future of soil science as a profession; however, all groups indicated areas of concern that should be addressed to enhance the soil science profession relative to other related sciences. Specific recommendations for action by the SSSA are identified.