Industry is Talking: A Delphi Study Exploring Oregon State University's Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication Programming

Agricultural and natural resources (ANR) communication undergraduate programs are expanding across the U.S. in response to the increase in employment opportunities and needs of the ANR sector. As such, Oregon State University is developing a curriculum for an undergraduate ANR communication major. To align programming needs with Oregon's industry, this study served as a needs assessment to explore the employability skills and ANR communication competencies expected by an expert panel of communication practitioners in ANR via a three-round Delphi methodology. Fourteen experts panelists obtained 100% consensus on the following nine competencies: (1) Understanding the impact and power of visual storytelling and interactive tools, (2) using credible, science-based content on social media, (3) information literacy, (4) being open to criticism, questions, and feedback, (5) demonstrating writing competencies, (6) storytelling in ANR and humanizing ANR, (7) demonstrating problem-solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, (8) cultural competencies, (9) listening skills. Panelists also rated communication skills as the most important skills within the state of [State’s] Essential Employability Skills (EES) for graduates of higher education. Recommendations include programs that integrate both employability and technical skills, such as the use of visual storytelling and interactive tools, and sourcing credible information into their curriculum based on the consensus of the panel.