Basic industries provide other industries with the raw materials to produce or manufacture goods. Basic industries handle the discovery, development, and retail trade of raw materials such as iron, wood, paper, and non-metallic minerals. It is one of the largest industry sectors in the United States.
As 2023 draws closer, the basic industries field may be a viable sector for job seekers because it is filled with job opportunities and companies that pay well. But before you delve into applications and pin down your career path, you need to know more about the best basic industries companies in 2023. Keep reading for our list of the top ten of these companies.
Types of Basic Industries Companies
Before you select a career path, you must understand the different types of basic industry companies. Knowing the difference helps you pursue the right learning path and get the skills fit for the industry. Below are three types of basic industries companies.
Agricultural Companies
Food is a necessity in every household, making these types of companies one of the key industries of the 21st century. Agricultural basic industries provide raw materials to restaurants such as rice, fruits, vegetables, and coffee. These companies also ship the raw materials to other companies to manufacture refined food products.
These companies work with large-scale and small-scale farmers nationwide to find the best food raw materials. Alternatively, agricultural companies can produce their raw materials by buying land and engaging in large-scale farming. You can work as a farmer, food scientist, agronomist, plant or animal scientist, agricultural engineer, or horticulturist.
Mining Companies
Mining is also a lucrative sector because most, if not all, of the raw materials needed in the construction, fashion, auto, and health industries are derived from the ground. These companies explore various locations, analyze the profit potentials, design the mine site, and prepare the ground. They then extract the raw materials and perform reclamation to maintain the land.
These pre- and post-mining processes provide a wide range of job opportunities. You can work as a geoscientist, geological engineer, mining electrician, heavy equipment operator, or chemist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a four percent rise in the job growth rate for mining careers between 2020 and 2030.
Wood and Pulp Companies
Wood and pulp companies harvest trees and other forestry products and put them through an advanced manufacturing process to produce refined raw materials. The raw material is then used in construction or to manufacture furniture.
Despite the introduction of tech gadgets and software, the paper industry is still thriving and heavily reliant on raw materials like wood and pulp. Companies use the raw materials to produce paper, tissue, books, packaging materials, and some hygiene products. You can start a career as a logger, researcher, paper mill operator, or salesperson.
There are other types of basic industry companies as well. These include companies that manufacture steel, chemical companies, textile production companies, and utility providers. These companies provide high-quality raw materials for various companies in the major industry sector, facilitating the manufacturing of complete and refined products.
How to Get a Job in the Basic Industries Field
Getting a job in any industry is a challenging process that requires preparation and an understanding of the field. You must also pursue the right education and learn skills relevant to the position. Let’s look deeper with a step-by-step guide on getting a job in the basic industries field.
- Decide which type of basic industry you’re interested in. There are different types of basic industry companies. You need to research these sectors, understand each company, and select one that suits your interests. You can work in agriculture, mining, metal production, oil, or textiles.
- Get the right education. Once you choose a sector that aligns with your career path, you can pursue an education online or in person. Popular careers include horticulturalists, engineers, agronomists, health care industry workers, steel fabricators, and heavy machinery operators. Some jobs only require entry-level qualifications.
- Network. Networking helps you create beneficial relationships and meet people who work in the same industry. Attend seminars, workshops, and events that are centered on basic industries. You can learn to network through work profiles like LinkedIn and GitHub, which can help you meet like-minded people.
- Specialize your resume. Your resume is an important part of your success in any job interview. Therefore, write a stellar resume and revise it to match each job application. Do your research and make sure you include skills specific to your chosen industry. Don’t use the same resume or cover letter for all your applications.
- Work on your confidence. If you want to succeed in the basic industries field, confidence is an important asset. Prepare for your interviews so you can answer questions confidently to prove that you are ready for the job. In addition, make sure you understand everything that your potential role entails and how the company operates.
The Best Companies in the Basic Industries Field to Work for in 2023
2023 is less than a month away, and professionals usually decide the trajectory of their careers as the year draws to a close. However, if you want to change your career path or find a new job in the basic industries field, you need to know about some companies in these sectors. Below is a list of the 10 best companies under the basic industries umbrella.
Cargill
- Annual Revenue: $134 billion
- Number of Employees: 155,000
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cargill is a contributor to the agriculture industry, which is the largest industry sector. The organization has established its presence in over 70 countries and employs over 150,000 workers. Its operations include animal nutrition, food ingredients, bio-industrial solutions, and a successful agricultural supply chain.
Cargill employees are spread across various business industries, including finance, nutrition, sales and marketing, engineering, management, and operations. You can check out the company’s website for a detailed description of all the job opportunities posted regularly.
Why Is Cargill a Good Place to Work?
Cargill provides numerous job opportunities and is a world-renowned organization, which guarantees job security. It also has subsidiaries like Cargill Cotton and Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate, where more jobs are available. Reviewers on Glassdoor gave the company a four-star rating and commended the company’s benefits, work environment, and performance.
Chevron Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $159 billion
- Number of Employees: 47,740
- Headquarters: San Ramon, California
Chevron Corporation is a leader in the energy industry. The organization focuses on the manufacturing and transportation of oil to meet the world’s growing energy demands. Chevron produces over one million barrels of oil per day, making it a leading contributor to the nation’s energy sector.
Chevron Corporation employs tens of thousands of people and aims to develop a generation of problem solvers and innovative thinkers. You can join the team as an engineer, in the human resources department, or in operations and maintenance. You can also work in sales, finance, or information technology.
Why Is Chevron Corporation a Good Place to Work?
Chevron Corporation values inclusivity and career development. The organization hires student interns, graduates, experienced professionals, and veterans. Chevron created lactation rooms where nursing mothers can pump. The company sometimes also provides tuition assistance to children of employees.
Employees can also receive a $20,000 reimbursement from the company for any adoption-related cases. The company offers a wide range of benefits, but the best is the lucrative pay. According to PayScale, the average base salary for a Chevron Corporation employee is $108,000.
Procter & Gamble Company
- Annual Revenue: $73 billion
- Number of Employees: 99,000
- Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is the global organization behind many successful brands in beauty, grooming, fabric and home care, and feminine and family care. The organization has established a solid presence in 73 countries and developed over 60 brands worldwide in 180 years. You can work with P&G across various industries as a student or professional.
Why Is Procter & Gamble a Good Place to Work?
P&G’s company culture emphasizes the importance of pursuing growth. The company is governed by diversity and inclusion, community impact, gender equality, environmental sustainability, ethics, and corporate responsibility. You will be part of an organization focused on positively impacting the world.
Additionally, employees get private medical insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and a lucrative average annual salary. The company also offers various wellness programs, paid parental leave and vacations, discounts on gym memberships, and access to social clubs. P&G has good ratings on Glassdoor, earning a 3.7-star rating.
International Paper
- Annual Revenue: $21 billion
- Number of Employees: 50,000
- Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
International Paper (IP) is a global producer of pulp, paper products, and renewable fiber-based packaging. The company produces pulp used to manufacture diapers, tissue, and other hygiene products. IP also creates industrial packaging products that protect goods and enhance the global financial services industry.
Why Is International Paper a Good Place to Work?
IP is a successful company that provides various job opportunities, including maintenance electricians, forklift operators, truck drivers, and technicians. IP has received many accolades as one of the best employers, one of the most ethical and most sustainably managed companies, and one of the best places to work.
Furthermore, you will also receive full-coverage health insurance, paid holidays and vacations, a 401(k) plan, and retirement benefits.
DuPont de Nemours
- Annual Revenue: $20 billion
- Number of Employees: 23,000
- Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware
DuPont de Nemours was founded in 1802 and has undergone several upgrades to become a leader in the basic industries field. This company produces raw materials for several major industries. The organization partners with different brands, such as Kapton, Cyrel, Delrin, Zytel, Great Stuff, and Corian Design.
These collaborations and innovations have led to the availability of job opportunities across the many company locations. Here, you can work in engineering, health and safety, IT, manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain.
Why Is DuPont de Nemours a Good Place to Work?
Most employees on Indeed and Glassdoor regard Nemours as a very family-friendly organization. It provides a flexible work-life balance and good opportunities for career growth. Additionally, employees receive good benefits and perks, such as health insurance, a 401(k) plan, long-term disability insurance, paid vacation days, and paid sick days.
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PPG Industries
- Annual Revenue: $14 billion
- Number of Employees: 47,000
- Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PPG Industries is a Fortune 200 company specializing in manufacturing paints, coatings, optical products, and specialty materials. The company was founded in 1883 and has grown to establish a solid presence in the basic industries sector. It manufactures finished products and distributes raw materials and supplies through its purchasing and logistics department.
PPG Industries employs thousands of employees who work in sales, production, supply chain, and engineering. It has offices located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cedar Falls, and more than 70 other countries.
Why Is PPG Industries a Good Place to Work?
PPG Industries employees have access to full-coverage health insurance, life insurance, and disability and accidental death insurance. The company has also established a wellness center for PPG employees.
Newmont Mining Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $11 billion
- Number of Employees: 14,300
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
The Newmont Mining Corporation is the leading producer of gold worldwide. The company also produces copper, zinc, lead, and silver. It is a highly reputable organization focused on quality, talent, and creating relationships. Newmont also employs thousands of employees in their branches and mining jurisdictions across North America, Australia, South America, and Africa.
Why Is Newmont Mining Corporation a Good Place to Work?
Newmont is an esteemed organization and the only one listed in the S&P 500 Index as a gold producer. The organization has won several accolades for its ethical and environmental practices. In addition, employees receive comprehensive medical insurance, paid leave and holidays, retirement savings plans, and funeral assistance.
Masco Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $7 billion
- Number of Employees: 18,000
- Headquarters: Livonia, Michigan
Masco Corporation was founded in 1929 by Alex Manoogian and his two partners. The company focuses on design and construction through the manufacture and distribution of home improvement and building products. Popular Masco brands include BrassCraft, Delta, FranklinBrass, Cobra, BEHR, and Kichler.
Masco employs over 18,000 employees across 28 manufacturing facilities in North America and ten international manufacturing facilities. You can join this company as a milling operator, paint specialist, technician, sales specialist, or quality assurance inspector.
Why Is Masco Corporation a Good Place to Work?
Masco Corporation is a global brand and offers lots of growth opportunities for its employees. You can work at any of the company’s facilities in various capacities, depending on your qualifications. Employees also receive tuition reimbursements and performance check-ups, mental health counseling, and paid time off, all of which enhance productivity.
If you work for Masco Corporation, you will also receive a 401(k) plan, product discounts, insurance, bonuses, and a competitive salary.
Sealed Air Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $5 billion
- Number of Employees: 16,500
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Sealed Air Corporation offers business services based on packaging solutions. It is known for its famous brands like Bubble Wrap cushioning packaging and Cryovac food packaging. Other exciting brands include Nexcel, Autobag, and Sealed Air. This company serves the health, food packaging, and equipment automation industries.
Sealed Air has over 16,000 employees across 106 manufacturing facilities and 39 packaging and design centers. The company’s career page features jobs in human resources, accounting, customer service, communications, legal, supply chain, and IT. You can apply for positions in any department, but you have to be patient because of the number of job applications they get.
Why Is Sealed Air Corporation a Good Place to Work?
Sealed Air Corporation owns many branches across 117 countries, allowing employees to work and travel to different parts of the world. This extensive reach guarantees job security. Apart from job security, you will also enjoy a hefty annual salary. PayScale indicates that the average annual salary for Sealed Air employees is $86,000.
Other benefits include full medical insurance coverage, wellness programs, paid holidays and maternity leave, pet insurance, and legal coverage. You can also explore career growth through education assistance and scholarship awards.
Rudolph and Sletten
- Annual Revenue: $650 million
- Number of Employees: 501-1,000
- Headquarters: San Carlos, California
Rudolph and Sletten is a construction engineering company founded over 60 years ago. The company has been monumental in developing popular landmarks like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Wheeler Hospital, and the Stanford Keck Science Building.
The company also established several branches across California, which provide raw materials for construction and thousands of job opportunities for freelance construction workers and permanent employees. You can work as an accountant, laser scanning specialist, field engineer, coordinator, estimator, manager, or project engineer.
Why Is Rudolph and Sletten a Good Place to Work?
Employees at Rudolph and Sletten receive health and wellness benefits, retirement plans, and paid vacations and holidays. The organization believes in career development and provides educational assistance to its employees. You will also enjoy fitness club discounts, legal assistance, pet insurance, employee appreciation Fridays, and birthday celebrations.
Is It Hard to Get a Job in the Basic Industries Field?
No. Getting a job in the basic industries field isn’t hard because of the large number of different career opportunities. You can join the industry as a student, entry-level professional, or experienced professional. There’s a wide range of career paths within the industry that will accommodate all job seekers.
You can find a career in management, finance, operations, engineering, or maintenance. However, you should pursue the right learning path for your career to make it easier for you to get a job. Employers look for skills and experience when selecting potential employees for technical and high-level positions.
Should You Work in the Basic Industries Field?
Yes. The basic industries field is exciting, innovative, and provides many growth opportunities. Compared to the 20th century, where theoretical knowledge was important, the 21st-century employment model emphasizes practical applications and hands-on learning.
It is a good time to explore careers in this field because there is room for growth through practical learning. Furthermore, the basic industries’ job growth rates and employment have improved, making it a lucrative career path. Basic industries companies are willing to spend top dollar on experienced and skilled employees.
Best Basic Industries Companies FAQs
No. You don’t need engineering skills to work in basic industries. You can find a career in management, finance, human resources, or administration. However, many careers in the basic industries field require a background in engineering. You can enhance your engineering skills by joining a career-specific bootcamp or pursuing traditional education online.
There’s no clear timeline because there are several job opportunities in this industry. The timeline solely depends on your learning path and career choice. Entry-level jobs may take less than a year to prepare for, and more complex roles may take more than eight years.
Typically, the easiest jobs to get are entry-level jobs. These jobs are available across different business industries, including accounting, administration, sales, IT, and construction. However, you will still need to pursue a higher level of education to get a promotion.
Your selection depends on your interests. You can work in agriculture, metal production, wood and pulp, mining, textiles, or the oil and gas industry. Do your research on all these industries and find one that aligns with your career goals and interests. Working at GM, GE, and other similar companies is a great start.
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