Applied Plant and Soil Science: Now What?
Quick Facts: Agricultural and Food Scientists and Specialists
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook (see also: Occupation Profile)
- 2023 Median Pay: $77,080 per year; $37.06 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Internship/residency
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 15,800
- Job Outlook, 2022-32: 6%
What is Plant and Soil Science?
Through theoretical and practical training, the Plant and Soil Sciences major prepares students to tackle real-world problems by integrating and applying knowledge they learn from different disciplines. This major includes rigorous training in biology and laboratory methods. Students focus their study in one of two general areas: plant science or soil science. They may also choose to focus their advanced course work in horticultural science, plant pathology, plant science and biotechnology, soil science or a related discipline. Many successful graduates work in research or applied aspects of the biotech industries, agricultural and horticultural businesses, environmental consulting arenas, and pest management. Others go on for advanced graduate training for careers in academia, business, or the public sector.
What Can I Do With A Degree In Plant and Soil Sciences?
Agronomist Agronomy Specialist
Crop Nutrition Scientist Extension Specialist
Microbiology Soil Scientist On-Site Soil Evaluator
Research Soil Scientist Soil Fertility Extension Specialist
Soil Scientist
Selection of potential internship sites:
- Bartlett Tree Experts
- Bioshelters Inc.
- Bose Corp.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Campaign to Save the Environment
- CVS
- Conservation Services Group, Inc. (CGS)
- Greenpeace, Inc
- Inari Agriculture
- JMP Environmental Consulting Inc
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
- MassPIRG
- Media Education Foundation
- Nature Conservancy (The)
- Northampton (City of)
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
- Raytheon Company
- Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
- Spectrum Analytical
- State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- Sustainable UMass
- TestAmerica Environmental Services LLC
- Triumvirate Environmental
- UMass Amherst Waste Management
- UMass Amherst Campus Sustainability Initiative
- UMass Amherst Dept of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
- UMass Amherst Environmental Health & Safety
- UMass Amherst Green Office Program
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
Selection of Internship Sites advertised by Stockbridge School of Agriculture: (https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/internships)
- Abundance Farm
- Backyard Growers
- Bardwell Farm
- Book and Plow Farm
- Boston Area Gleaners
- Broadfork Permaculture
- Clark Organic Farm
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- Essex Farm
- Fort River Farm
- Foxfire Farm
- Fungi Ally
- Gallatin Valley Botanical
- Green Rivers Farms
- Laughing Dog Farm
- Meeting Place Pastures
- Morning Glory Farm
- Natural Roots Farm Apprenticeship Program
- Nourse Farm
- Nourishing the North Shore (NNS)
- Orchard Hill Breadworks
- People’s Medicine Project
- Sampson Farm LP
- Share the Harvest Farm
- Simple Gifts Farm
- Sirius Eco-Village
- Small Ones Farm
- Stout Oak Farm
- The Farm School
- The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
- UMass Amherst Student Farm
- UMass Hydrofarm
- Unadilla Farm
- Yard Birds Farm
Career Planning & Resources Websites
Career Exploration Tools: https://www.umass.edu/careers/career-journey/self-discovery
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
Massachusetts Career Information System: http://masscis.intocareers.org
(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003” Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)
Soil Science Society of America: https://www.soils.org/careers/
Bio Careers: Ag-Research: https://biocareers.com/category/career-paths/ag-research/
Careers in Soil Science: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov
Reports on Jobs in the Growing Green Economy: https://www.findingearthworks.com/resources/
Plant and Soil Science Job and Internship Search Resources
UMass Amherst Specific Job Search Resources
Handshake: https://umass.joinhandshake.com/
UMass Amherst Dept of Plant & Soil Sciences: https://www.umass.edu/ses/program/plant-soil-sciences-bs
UMass Amherst Local Sustainability Jobs/Internships: www.umass.edu/sustainability/resources
Plant and Soil Science Jobs
Center for Ecological Technology (Northampton): https://www.cetonline.org/jobs/
Cool Works Jobs in Great Places: www.coolworks.com
Earthworks Jobs By Category: http://earthworks-jobs.com/
Environmental Career (post resume & apply through): https://environmentalcareer.com/
Environmental Career Opportunities (ECO): http://www.ecojobs.com/
Environmental Health & Safety Jobs: http://ehscareers.com/search
Environmental Jobs: http://environmentaljobs.com
Green Dream Jobs: www.sustainablebusiness.com
Green Jobs (store resumes &and apply through site): http://www.greenjobs.net/
Green Job Search: www.greenjobsearch.org
GreenBiz Jobs Board: http://jobs.greenbiz.com
Global Vision International Careers Abroad: www.careersabroad.co.uk/vacancies
LinkedIn Green Job and Career Network: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=77194
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC): http://www.masscec.com/work-clean-energy/jobs
Massachusetts (State) Environmental Agencies: www.mass.gov/eea/agencies
National Environmental Health Assoc Job Board: https://www.neha.org/careers?utm_source=web&utm_medium=home_icon
Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies: https://www.careerplacement.org/
Texas A&M Wildlife & Fisheries Jobs Board (some intl): https://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/job-board/
Water Industry Jobs: www.waterjobsnow.com
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Job Bank: http://jobbank.wef.org/jobseekers
World Wildlife Federation Jobs: https://wwf.panda.org/jobs_wwf/
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jobs: https://www.epa.gov/careers
USA Jobs (for ALL Federal Govt Jobs): www.usajobs.gov
General Science Jobs
General Science Jobs (widely defined): http://jobs.sciencecareers.org
General Science Jobs (widely defined): http://jobs.newscientist.com/
NatureJobs (widely defined): www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/
Internships and Lab/Field Research
American Geological Institute (Geosci & Public Policy): www.americangeosciences.org
Campus Access List of Environmental Internships: www.campusaccess.com/internships
Cool Works Internships: www.coolworks.com/internships
Ecological Society of America: Fieldwork Internships: https://www.esacareercenter.org/
Internships in Federal Government Agencies (EPA etc): www.usajobs.gov/Search?Internship=Yes
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC): www.masscec.com/programs/massachusetts
National Park Service Internships (nationwide): https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm
National Science Foundation REUs: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/
NYC Parks and Recreation Internships: https://www.nycgovparks.org/
UMass Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies: https://www.umass.edu/ours/
Professional Organizations
Many professional organization’s websites have career information on them. You can often use them to search for networking events, meet a mentor in your field of study, find current research, search for internships or jobs, and gain insight into what direction within the field you may wish to pursue.
American Geological Institute (Geosci & Public Policy): www.americangeosciences.org
American Water Works Association: www.awwa.org
Assoc for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Ed: www.aashe.org/resources
Assoc for Environmental Studies and Sciences: http://aessonline.org/
Ecological Society of America: Fieldwork Internships: www.esa.org
Local Govt Environmental Assistance Network: https://www.lgean.net/financing.php (has grants & funding opps)
National Council for Science and the Environment: www.ncseonline.org
National Environmental Health Association: www.neha.org
Natl Assoc for Environmental Professionals (NAEP): www.naep.org
National Renewable Energy Lab: www.nrel.gov
N. American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: www.nabcep.org
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (Greenfield): www.nesea.org
Society for Conservation Biology: www.conbio.org
Society of Wetland Scientists: http://sws.org
US Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov
US NIH: Natl Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: www.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm
Western Mass Green Consortium: http://westernmassgreenconsortium.org
What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2024 Job Outlook for Students)
Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on Candidate Resumes
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Communication skills (written)
- Strong work ethic
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Communication (verbal)
- Technical Skills
- Analytical/Quantitative Skills
- Initiative
- Detail-oriented
Top 7 Attributes that can positively influence employers the most
- Internship with the organization
- Internship within the industry
- Major
- General work experience
- Leadership experience
- Extracurricular activities
- High GPA (3.0 or above)