Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Bioenergy
- Plant Breeding
- Crop Science
- Feedstocks
- Production and Processing
- Regulation
- Consulting
- Biofuel Transportation, Distribution, Sales
- Biofuel companies
- Colleges and universities
- Research organizations
- Feedstock supply companies
- Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies
including: US Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency
- Seek experience in the bioenergy field through research with faculty, internships or part-time jobs.
- Build close relationships with faculty who can provide strong recommendations for graduate school.
- Maintain knowledge of current alternative energy and product industry trends and regulations.
- Supplement program with courses such as finance, marketing, management, etc. to increase understanding of business theory.
- Purse a master’s or Ph.D. for increased research opportunities.
Biotechnology
- Plant Tissue Culture
- Plant Breeding
- Genetic Engineering
- Textiles (Enzymes, Novel Fibers, Medical)
- Bioinformatics
- Colleges and universities
- Research organizations
- Agricultural and pharmaceutical companies
- Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies including: US Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency
- Plant propagation and production businesses
- Biotechnology companies
- Gain practical laboratory, greenhouse or field experience in collaboration with professors and through internships.
- Join horticultural, agronomy clubs or other student professional associations to network and cultivate related academic interests.
- A master’s or doctoral degree may be necessary for advancement. Some federal and private agency and research positions require a graduate degree.
- Maintain a strong grade point average to be competitive for graduate school admission.
Horticulture Science and Production
- Plant Breeding
- Vegetable, Fruit, Ornamental Crop Production
- Greenhouse and Nursery Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Nurseries, greenhouses, florists and other wholesale and retail companies
- Plant propagation and production businesses
- Agribusinesses
- Harvesting companies
- Agrichemical companies
- Consulting firms
- State and federal departments of agriculture
- Extension offices
- High schools, colleges and universities
- Self-employment
- Seek work in areas such as crop production and greenhouse operations to build skills and experience.
- Assist a professor with a research project.
- Join horticultural, agronomy clubs or other student professional associations to network.
- Seek additional training in business to advance into management positions.
- Become a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticulture Science.
- A master’s or doctoral degree may be necessary for some positions in private companies and government organizations.
- Maintain a strong grade point average to be competitive for graduate school admission.
- Research extension and teacher education programs for working with youth.
Landscape Design
- Ecological/Environmental Restoration
- Residential/Commercial Design
- Landscape Construction
- Landscape Maintenance/Management
- Specialty Installation (Irrigation systems, ponds, rockscapes, lighting)
- Sales and Contracting
- Landscape design companies
- Garden centers
- Parks, amusement parks and zoos
- Golf courses
- Sport fields
- Cemeteries
- Large hotels and resorts
- Industrial sites
- Colleges and universities
- Local/city governments
- State highway departments
- Self-employment
- Seek practical experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs at garden centers or with landscape contractors to learn more about the industry
- Develop computer aided design (CAD) and effective communication skills for conferring with clients.
- Obtain a minor in business, agricultural economics or agricultural leadership if interested in management or self-employment.
- Consider earning a landscape architect degree and obtain professional certification as a landscape architect. Requirements vary by state.
- Participate in the annual Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) Student Career Days competition.
Organic Production
- Crop Production
- Greenhouse and Nursery Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Organic Certification
- Product Development
- Organic Farms
- Non-profit Organizations
- Agribusinesses
- State and federal departments of agriculture
- Plant propagation and production businesses
- Agrichemical companies
- Colleges and universities
- Self-employment
- High-end produce buyers
- Local tourism departments
- Pursue experience in organic production through work at organic greenhouses, farms or agribusinesses.
- Seek involvement with local farmers’ markets, community food projects and other sustainable agriculture initiatives.
- Join student chapters of professional associations to network in the industry.
- Become a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticulture Science.
- Research extension and teacher education programs for working with youth which vary by state.
- Become familiar with certification programs for organic produce.
Public Horticulture
- Education/Outreach
- Urban Horticulture
- Urban Forestry
- Horticulture Therapy
- Plant Collections
- Research
- Communications
- Management
- Facilities and Maintenance
- Public and botanic gardens
- Arboreta and conservatories
- Museums
- Radio and television stations
- Magazines, newspapers and internet sites
- Zoos and aquariums
- Cities and parks
- State highway departments
- Cemeteries
- Theme parks
- Universities
- Extension Offices
- Hospitals and therapy centers
- Nursing homes and senior centers
- Freelance writer
- Develop excellent writing and speaking skills, as those interested in public horticulture work extensively with people. Photography skills may be advantageous for some career paths.
- Join student organizations to develop leadership and communication skills.
- Gain related experience through internships part-time job in public gardens or parks.
- Earn Registered Horticultural Therapist licensure for plant therapy through The American Horticulture Therapy Association or become a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science.
- Obtain teacher certification for public school positions.
Turfgrass Science and Management
- Golf Course Management
- Sport Turf Management
- Sod Production
- Residential/Commercial Lawn Installation and Management
- Irrigation Systems
- Agrichemicals
- Sales and Service
- Green Industry Consulting
- Golf courses
- Lawn care companies
- Colleges and universities
- Sport and athletic fields
- Local/city governments
- Parks and amusement parks
- Sod production farms
- Pest management companies
- Landscape companies
- Irrigation firms
- Self-employment
- Obtain practical experience with golf courses and other turf businesses through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
- Participate in relevant campus organizations, e.g. the Turf Club or Horticulture Club .
- Develop effective communication skills, particularly for leading crews of employees. Pursue a minor in business, agricultural economics or agricultural leadership for management or self-employment.
- Gain knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations governing operations and management of sports fields and facilities.
- Research professional certifications in the field including Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) and Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM).
General Information and Strategies
- For entry level positions in most areas of plant sciences, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient.
- Depending upon specialty area, supplement curriculum with supporting courses: business, journalism, planning, geology, entomology, soils or biology. Take communications courses to develop oral and written skills.
- Majoring in two subject areas or pursuing a minor can increase marketability. For example, study in landscape design and business, or public horticulture and journalism, can lead to greater opportunities.
- Internship experiences with well-known organizations aid students when seeking employment.
- A graduate degree may be necessary for advancement in some fields.
- Master’s degrees allow for more opportunities in research and administration. Some community colleges will hire Master’s level teachers.
- Doctoral degrees are necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching and independent research.
- Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
- Secure strong relationships and personal recommendations from professors for graduate school admission.
- Consider completing a post-doctoral experience after graduate school.
- Meet with career center staff that can assist with government job searches.
