Career choices
Nursery production and garden center management
Identifying and understanding the characteristics of different plants and the requirements for optimum growth. Business management skills are also taught. For example, business and computer courses combined with plant knowledge will enable you to run a successful nursery or garden center business.
Plant Science research
Positions are available at public and private institutions in field and laboratory research which may include horticultural plant breeding, pesticide evaluation, crop physiology, product testing and quality control, plant propagation and biotechnology.
Teaching, Extension and Communication
If you are interested in teaching or assisting people, a degree in horticulture can enable you to enter a career as an extension horticulturalist who assists growers, industry, and the public.
You may be interested in communicating horticultural information to the public and there are many opportunities for writers/editors for television, radio, magazines and newspapers.
Landscaping - urban parks, residential properties
Learning the principles of designing residential landscapes. Includes the design and planting for landscapes, parks, highways and public facilities, including interiorscapes, in rural, suburban and urban areas.
Landscape design includes positions for planners, designers and installers of residential, commercial, public, and recreational landscapes (both exterior and interior), employment with nurseries, garden centers, landscape management firms or as private consultants.
Floral design
Included in the Horticulture program is the opportunity to study floral design, its history and elements involved in the design process. Numerous retail firms now offer floral and plant gift services.