Horticulture

Imagine a career in agriculture! A horticulturist can work in crop production and storage, plant science, and even landscape design and maintenance. They can focus on garden plants and flowers, or study plants that can be used for medicines or food. Common industries include government, education, landscaping, and business. You are not limited to laboratories or greenhouses with this career; one can choose to utilize their knowledge in an office setting or hands-on work in design and production.

There are tons of career paths that a horticulturist can take. Some are self-employed and run a center or consulting firm; others work in business-related positions. Any career path can be aligned in horticulture, whether it is focused in design, education, administration, research, management, sales, consulting, writing and media, or production.

So, how do I become a horticulturist? This career can found under similar titles such as agricultural and food scientist, floriculturist, landscaper, retail horticulture, and agricultural inspector. To start preparing for this career field, it is imperative that science, computer, and mathematics classes are taken in high school. In college, one would need to study plant science and horticulture. Depending on the area of interest, a second focus needs to be pointed towards a specialty in computer science, landscape design, communications, statistics, or one of the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, genetics, and physiology.

A college degree in agricultural science will be needed to obtain entry level employment opportunities. In order to take part in research, advanced degrees will be needed. This career field tends to attract individuals with great critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and observation skills. These individuals have to be land lovers and don't mind getting dirty and being around plants.

Along with education, it is important to gain some hands-on-experience. Internships, class projects, and volunteer opportunities can be used to enhance your knowledge. Regardless of the career focus, all horticulturists work among plants. A person must decide to what degree they want to work with plants, whether it is sales and business, research, or the actual planting and tending of crops.

If you are looking for employment opportunities, please visithttp://www.hortjobs.com/orhttp://www.thelandlovers.org/. These sites will give you a good idea of the jobs available in this field as well as what most employers require from potential employees. There are also voluntary certifications that job seekers can obtain to help qualify them for advanced positions. Two types of certifications are theSoil Science Society of Americaand theCertified Crop Advisor.

To read more, please visit theOccupational Outlook Handbook: Agricultural and Food Scientistsor theAmerican Society for Horticultural Science.