How the Horticulture Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Horticulture is the study of the growth and development of crops. This is especially important as the world population grows, exponentially increasing the number of mouths that must be fed. Growing crops can be difficult, as there are many variables that affect a healthy harvest, such as weather, moisture level, and the presence of pests and disease. Horticulture majors focus on expanding their understanding of these variables on crop production, developing solutions to harvest problems, and determining the link between horticulture and society. Horticulture students take courses in botanical illustration, botany, biology, and other topics related to bettering student understanding of plant growth and health. Many horticulture majors also participate in internships and club organizations related to the field in order to gain more outside experience in working with plants. This outside work coupled with a formal classroom education provides horticulture majors with the skills and knowledge they need in order to immediately dive into the field upon graduation.
Best Career Paths for Horticulture Majors
Those passionate about plant life will find many exciting opportunities open to them. The best career paths for horticulture majors are:
- Horticulturist. Horticulturists are experts in the management of all plants, from edible fruits and vegetables to ornamental flowers and ferns. Many horticulturists work in research, analyzing crop yield and health. Horticulturists are different from agriculturalists, as they deal with plants on a smaller scale rather than the big farms that agriculturalists work with. Horticulturists also work with a bigger array of crops rather than focusing on any one particular crop. Horticulturists with one to four years of professional experience earn an average wage of $13.28 per hour, with their earnings increasing alongside their years of experience, according to PayScale.com, a company that specializes in compensation data.
- Horticultural Sales Representative. Horticultural sales representatives can work with farms, floral shops, or event planners to promote plant products. For example, a sales representative might specialize in promoting organic crops or locally grown flowers, depending on his or her employer. Those with a degree in horticulture are especially well-suited for sales positions in the industry, as they are knowledgeable in the fundamentals of horticulture. Sales representatives must be well-versed in the past and current developments of the field, as they must be able to answer any and all questions about the product they are promoting. Horticultural sales representatives make an average salary of $51,330, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Horticulture Degree
After spending years in the classroom and hours on research projects and internships, you finally earned your horticulture degree. Make certain that potential employers understand the value of your hard-earned education as you begin looking for work upon graduation. Elaborate on all of the skills and knowledge you obtained from your college career, such as your research, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. If you participated in internships or volunteer work related to your field, mention how your classroom knowledge helped you gain further insight into the work and what you took away from the experience. The best way to market your horticulture degree is to prove to employers that you can take what youíve learned from your college education and apply that knowledge to real-world working situations.
