Plant Systems Pathway
Work with plant life cycles to sustainably improve landscapes and food crops.
Focus Areas
Careers in the Plant Science Pathway may work with:
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Ornamental Plants: Plants for landscaping, cut flowers, or indoor plants grown for their beauty. -
Food Crops: Plants grown for direct human consumption like fruits, vegetables, and grains. -
Feed Crops: Plants such as forages and grains grown to feed livestock.
Careers in plant science are crucial in advancing sustainable agriculture, enabling innovations that enhance food security, reducing environmental impact, and combating climate change.
Education Requirements
Education and training requirements range from on-the-job training all the way to a doctorate degree. Visit the websites of colleges or universities you are interested in to see what programs they offer in the area of plant science.
How to Get Started
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Visit a nursery or greenhouse: Tour a local nursery or greenhouse. Ask to job shadow a variety of workers to see what they do.
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Look to the future: Visit crop farms and ask what challenges need to be overcome in the future for a sustainable food supply. Could you help find that solution?
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Take a related class: See if your school has a related class you can take to learn more.
Example Jobs
Greenhouse Manager
A greenhouse manager oversees plant production in controlled environments, ensuring optimal growth conditions and managing resources effectively.
What kinds of plants are typically grown in greenhouses?
Landscape Designer
A landscape designer creates beautiful outdoor spaces by selecting and arranging plants, trees, and other landscaping elements to enhance aesthetic appeal and functionality.
How has Jenn's career evolved through the years? Where did she gain experience?
Entomologist
An entomologist studies insects and their impact on plants, working to develop effective pest management strategies that protect crops and promote healthy ecosystems.
How can insects both help and harm plants?
Agronomist
An agronomist focuses on soil management and crop production, employing scientific principles to improve farming practices and increase yields.
How does Brandon help farmers identify and fix problems in their crops?
Flower Breeder
A flower breeder develops new varieties of flowers through selective breeding, enhancing their beauty, resilience, and adaptability to various environments.
What traits do breeders look for when creating new flower varieties?
Related Resources
- Horticulture Careers | Seed Your Future
- Check out this site to learn about careers in horticulture – the art, technology, business, education and science of plants.