Survey of Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Scholarship Recipients (1965-1994)

Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.

The Scholarship and Research Foundation of the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association, a West Coast trade association, began awarding scholarships in 1965. The scholarship program was established as a means of rewarding high scholastic performance and encouraging careers in the poultry industries. A survey was conducted of the 1965 to 1994 recipients. During the 30-yr period, the association awarded 513 scholarships. Alumni association offices in western Canada and the United States were able to provide current mailing addresses for 312 of the recipients. A letter was sent to each former recipient requesting information on postdegree career paths. Responses were received from 104 or 33.3% of the individuals. Initial career choices and current occupations were tabulated. Broad occupational choices were categorized as poultry, agriculturally related nonpoultry, nonagricultural, still in school, or unknown. Poultry-related careers were categorized by more specific job definitions: live production, allied industry, extension, research/teaching faculty, and veterinary medicine. The poultry industries attracted 52.9% of the recipients for their first postdegree job. Currently, 50.0% of the recipients are employed by the poultry industries. Of those, 36.5% are in live production, 19.2% in allied industry, 5.8% in extension, 17.3% in research/teaching, and 21.1% in veterinary medicine.