Simranjit Singh - Research Assistant, Dow AgroSciences
When Simranjit Singh was on his grandparents' farm in India as a boy, it was very unlikely that he imagined his life would take him 12,000 kilometres away to Saskatchewan. In India, Simranjit completed his secondary education and then decided to work on sea-faring freight liners that transported goods all across the Middle East. After acquiring new life experiences and well-earned lessons in hard work, he returned home and realized his aspirations for higher education. After talking with friends and family and researching his options, Simranjit set his sights on a career in plant genetics. The University of Saskatchewan Agriculture & Bioresources College’s unparalleled international reputation was a big factor in choosing Saskatchewan as a place of study. Its people, open spaces and opportunities also influenced Simranjit’s decision to stay and work in this exciting field.
Five years after his arrival, Simranjit graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and now is a part of the international breeding programs at Dow AgroSciences. Using state-of-the-art genetic technology, he works in the company’s test fields and nurseries to better understand how different crop varieties from around the world may help to increase yields, resist stress and combat disease. Their ultimate goal is to reduce input costs for farmers in temperate climates.
An enviable blend of city living with plenty of time in the rural fields suits Simranjit’s lifestyle. Instilled with his love of the family farm, this young man now enjoys an excellent standard of living with plenty of time for friends at the lake and at the University, where he maintains many friendships while continuing the work he loves. This new lifestyle was possible for Simranjit because Saskatchewan leads the world in research and development of agricultural sciences, which attracts people from around the world who want to excel at the highest level, and will continue to be a growth industry for decades to come.
Other careers in Research: Research Technician, DNA Testing, Plant Breeding/Genetics, Surveyor, Engineer, Ecologist, Biologist and many more.
Where to take courses: University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Regional Colleges.
Average Yearly Salary: $74,472
Job Prospects: Limited
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*All salaries are based on the 2013 Saskatchewan Wage Survey Report