Plant and Soil Sciences: Now What?
Quick Facts: Plant and Soil Scientists and Specialists
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook (see also: Occupation Profile)
- 2021 Median Pay: $76,290 per year; $36.68 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Internship/residency
- Number of Jobs, 2020: 17,800
- Job Outlook, 2020-30: 10%
- Employment Change, 2020-30: 2,300
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
Where Can I Do an Internship?
- 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:
- 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
What Do Employers Look For?
(Source: NACE Job Outlook 2022, Courtesy of the National Association of College and Employers | www.naceweb.org)
Top 10 Things Employers Look for on Your Resume
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical/quantitative skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Communication skills (written)
- Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Technical skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Detail-oriented
- Leadership
7 Things That Give You an Advantage in the Job Market
- Internship with the organization
- Internship within the industry
- Major
- Leadership position
- General work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- High GPA (3.0 or above)