The Ag Career Day will take place today in the Lied Recreation Athletic Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With more than 160 companies and organizations coming from all over the world, this year’s event is sure to have something for everyone.

The list of companies and organizations include everything from KWS SAAT AG, a plant genetics company from Germany, to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

“The bottom line is it’s just an interesting mix of companies and organizations that are coming this year, probably more so than I’ve seen in the past,” said Mike Gaul, director of Agriculture Career Services.

Despite the current state of the economy, Gaul said the agriculture industry is doing well in terms of the number of jobs available.

“This is a great time to be a student in our college,” Gaul said.

One factor of the industry’s success is the aging of workers employed by agriculture companies. Many companies are realizing that they need to hire younger workers before the older workers leave and take all the know-how about their job with them.

Rodd Whitney, university relation and training specialist with Monsanto, said the company is looking to fill more than 300 positions nationwide, with a large percentage of those positions going to ISU students.

Whitney said Monsanto is looking for students who have a strong work ethic, communication skills, honesty and a great attitude.

Gaul encourages all students to attend the career day, even freshmen.

Before going to the career fair, students should research and familiarize themselves with the companies they are interested in. Gaul said there is a list of companies on the Ag Career Day’s website.

Also, being able to confidently walk up to representatives from companies and organizations is essential.

“You only get one chance to make a positive first impression,” Gaul said.

In order to make a positive first impression, students should dress professionally and prepare a 60-second infomercial about themselves.

“You’ve got to be able to walk up there, exude some confidence and sell yourself,” Gaul said. “What do you have that they want and what are you interested in?”

Finally, students should be sure to get a business card from each company they talk to.

“The key is not what you know, it’s who knows you,” Whitney said.