Plant breeding
Crop science
Feedstocks
Production and processing
Regulation
Consulting
Biofuel transportation, distribution, sales
Biofuel companies
Colleges and universities
Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies:
US Department of Agriculture
Environmental Protection Agency
Research organizations
Feedstock supply companies
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.
Plant tissue culture
Plant breeding
Genetic engineering
Textiles (e.g., enzymes, novel fibers, medical)
Bioinformatics
Colleges and universities
Research organizations
Agricultural and pharmaceutical companies
Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies:
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.
Plant breeding
Vegetable, fruit, ornamental crop production
Greenhouse management
Nursery management
Sales
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.
Ecological/Environmental restoration
Residential/Commercial design
Landscape construction
Landscape maintenance/Management
Specialty installation (e.g., 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, 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 National Association of Landscape Professionals student competition.
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.
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
Zoos and aquariums
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 or part-time jobs in public gardens or parks.
Earn the Horticultural Therapist-Registered (HTR) credential 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.
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: Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) and Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM).
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.