To ensure Animal Science (ASCI) curriculum equips graduates with skills needed by industry, a mixed methods approach was employed to gather input from industry stakeholders on key competencies required for success in the workforce. Forty-six of 228 industry representatives across various ASCI sectors completed a structured web survey via Qualtrics (20.2% response rate), while eleven were selected for in-depth qualitative interviews based on their diverse industry backgrounds. Percentage of industry participants who ranked various hiring qualifications as “very important” included real-life exposure to the field (83.7%), personality or industry culture compatibility (63.6%), evidence of leadership (43.2%), industry-specific research and technical skills (40.9%), receipt of an academic degree (36.4%), preparedness for fitting the needs immediately upon hire (29.5%), ASCI related competitive teams (20.5%), student organization participation (13.6%), credentials including certifications, awards, and scholarships (13.6%), grade point average (9.1%), and volunteer or community service (4.5%). External hiring factors ranked as “very important” included professional references (40.9%), demonstrated success of present or former employees who were alumni of the institution (25.0%), and preexisting relationships, networking, or collaboration with the department (15.9%). While only 11.6% deemed departmental reputation as very important, 62.8% indicated it was somewhat important. The top 5 most important skills or characteristics identified by industry personnel for new employees to be successful included a willingness to learn (100%), problem-solving and critical thinking (97.4%), integrity and ethical responsibility (94.9%), teamwork (92.3%), and oral communications (89.7%). While 78% of ASCI students hired were deemed at least “somewhat work-ready” upon graduation, 22% were not. Findings underscore the importance of integrating internships and real-world experiences into the curriculum. Interviewees stressed the need for industry-relevant skill development beyond foundational knowledge. This process provided valuable insights for curriculum reform, emphasizing the need for hands-on experiences, critical thinking, and communication skills to ensure graduates meet industry expectations.