How Jesse Built His Career from a Farm Hand to Farm Manager

“We have to be on our toes and if something is wrong, we’ve got to fix it.” 

This article is presented in partnership with Australian Eggs. 

Forget what you thought about the egg industry because it’s not all muddy boots and early mornings (although there is a bit of that too).

Whether you’re into animals, leadership, tech, science or mechanics, the egg industry is full of opportunities to grow.

Jesse Janes was only sixteen when he started working on a poultry farm as a Farm Hand.

He’d heard of the opportunity from a few of his friends’ parents. After asking for some help on his resume, he sent through his application.

And once he got the gig, he quickly found his footing and a love for the egg industry.

Why did he want to work in the egg industry?

To start off with Jesse hadn’t really given the egg industry much thought.

But he knew that textbook learning was not for him, and he’d always enjoyed hands-on work.

But when he started learning more about agriculture and chickens themselves, he slowly found his passion.

“We all just assume that an egg’s an egg, but there’s a lot more to it and I think that just got my attention,” Jesse told Student Edge.

“I like the day-to-day challenge…you’ve got to be thinking. We’re dealing with animals and livestock, we can’t just program it and leave it be.

“We have to be on our toes and if something is wrong, we’ve got to fix it, and I just like that problem-solving.”

A long-term career.

After cutting his teeth as a Farm Hand, Jesse realised there was huge opportunity in the industry.

“[The egg industry] is in demand, it’s a food product and everyone needs to eat,” Jesse said.

“It’s used in so many different ways and methods in the food industry, it’s outstanding.

“So I thought ‘that’s something that’s never going to go away’ it’s continually growing.

“I think after I discovered that and thought of it in that lens, is when I decided to really knuckle down and try and chase a career in the industry.”

After working hard as a Farm Hand, he worked his way up to a Farm Supervisor before eventually being named the Farm Manager.

A day-in-the-life of a Farm Manager.

As a Farm Manager his day varies, and no two days are alike.

He usually starts the day with his crew and asking for feedback from the day previous. Mornings are also the time for paperwork and admin.

Then he spends some time checking the data and ensuring everything looks ok.

“Then we get out in the field, inspect the birds, inspect all the temperatures, feed and everything and go support some staff,” he told us.

“We’ll have a ‘toolbox meeting’ at lunchtime to raise any safety concerns, quality issues, stuff like that.

“And then we’ll continue following up with some checking with the birds and other duties.”

Jesse’s biggest piece of advice for people trying to climb the career ladder whether you’re working in agriculture or corporate is to work hard.

Once he found that he preferred hands-on learning more, he began asking questions, applying himself and committing to giving 100% to his job.

“And by doing that, I just got rewarded.”

If you’re like Jesse and the Egg Industry peaked your interest, check out Australian Eggs and learn more about what to expect working on a farm, looking after animals and more.

Why not give it a crack? To learn more, check out the Australian Eggs website.