To answer current and future agronomic challenges, an increasing number of students want to play an active role in the evolution of their academic training. Observation-oriented students from Institut Agro (France) specialized in agricultural and animal sciences thus surveyed current students about their educational expectations and young professionals about the match between their education and their professional integration. Students (BSc and MSc levels) from Institut Agro (n = 42) and professionals in animal sciences who had graduated from Institut Agro (less than five years ago (n = 52) or more than five years ago (n = 89)) were surveyed. Both students and professionals emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary knowledge and soft skills developed during their education. Some skills appeared to be essential, such as “adaptation capacity” (12.6% of the respondents), “project management” (12.1%) and “multiple skills” (8.6%). These elements agree with the abilities required by professional recruiters. Graduated professionals mentioned as important the skills “team work”, “autonomy” and “capacity for synthesis” more than students did (P < 0.05). Solutions such as work-study programmes or the relocation and/or extension of farm internships could make up for some shortcomings mentioned by respondents (e.g. limited fieldwork, business knowledge).