Horticultural Science: Now What?
Career Resources for Horticultural Science Students
| Quick Facts: Agricultural and Food Scientists | |
| 2024 Median Pay | $71,410 per year $34.33 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Number of Jobs, 2023 | 20,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2022-32 | 8% (Faster than average) |
| Projected Job Openings, 2023-33 | 1,700 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientists.htm
What is Horticultural Science?
This major provides students with the tools and knowledge to work in the horticultural field. Students receive scientific training in the production of herbaceous ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, students have the option of taking business courses to complement their horticultural training or to further enhance their scientific training through more courses in basic science. The University-operated greenhouses, vegetable fields, and orchard are used as laboratory spaces to provide hands-on experience related to knowledge acquired in the classroom. Successful graduates find employment in plant conservatories and arboretums or managing businesses like direct-market farms, greenhouse operations, landscaping firms and nurseries, or continue to graduate school for advanced degrees.
What Can I Do with a Degree in Horticultural Science?
- Educator
- Extension Specialist
- Greenhouse Manager
- Horticulturalist
- Horticultural Product Sales & Marketing
- Landscape Plant Production
- Landscape Nursery Manager
- Plant Breeder
- Plant Grower
- Plant Production Technician
- Plant Propagator
- Pollination Specialist
- Precision Agriculture Technician
- Public Outreach
- Researcher
- Retail Business Owner
Recent Job/Internship Placement Sites for UMass Horticultural Science majors (2023-2025)
- Aloha Apothecary
- Arnold Arboretum – Harvard
- Ascend Wellness Holdings (AWS)
- Bay Natives Nursery
- Clean Crop Technologies
- Five Forks Farms
- MEDITECH
- MA Dept of Conservation (DCR)
- Noels Nursery
- Plum Brook Farm
- Trustees of Reservations
- UMass Center for Agriculture, Food & Environment
- West End Nursery
Recent Job and Internship Sites for Horticultural Science majors on Handshake
- Bartlett Tree Co.
- Bees and Blooms Gardens
- Broadfork Permaculture
- Clark Organic Farm
- Clean Crop Technologies
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- CT Agriculture Experiment Station
- Davey Tree Co.
- Eurofins Biopharma
- Gallatin Valley Botanical
- Green Cross, Inc
- The Farm School
- Kestrel Land Trust
- MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
- New England Botanic Garden Tower Hill
- Northern Nurseries/Robert Baker Co.
- Pace Environmental
- red gate farm
- Santa’s Village
- Savatree
- Southwest Boston CDC
- Sweetgum Horticulture
- Trustees of Reservations
- UMass Amherst Student Farm
- UMass Extension
- UMass Hydrofarm
- USDA
- W. Atlee Burpee Co.
- William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute
- Zen Associates
Career Planning Resources & Websites
- UMass Career Exploration Tools
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Massachusetts Career Information System (Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003” Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)
- Soil Science Society of America
Job and Internship Search Resources
UMass Amherst Resources
- UMass Handshake Database of Internships & Jobs
- UMass Amherst Dept of Horticultural Science
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture Internship Sites
- UMass Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies
Job and Internship Search Resources in Horticultural Science
- Agricultural Positions in Massachusetts (Mass.gov)
- AgHires
- Alliance of Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science Societies
- ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Internships
- CISA (local)
- Cool Works Internships
- Earthworks Jobs by Category
- Ecological Society of America: Fieldwork Internships
- Environmental Careers Organization
- Environmental Career (post resume & apply through)
- Environmental Jobs
- Hire Horticulture
- National Park Service (nationwide)
- National Science Foundation REUs
- World Wildlife Federation Jobs
General Science Jobs
- Science Careers (widely defined)
- New Scientist Jobs (widely defined)
- NatureJobs (widely defined)
- USA Jobs (for ALL Federal Govt Jobs)
Professional Associations
Many websites for professional organizations have career information on them. Use them to search for networking events, find current research, search for internships, and gain insight into the field.
- American Hort (ANLA + OFA)
- American Phytopathological Society (APS)
- American Society for Agronomy
- American Society for Horticultural Science
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Botanical Society of America
- MA Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA)
- Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS)
Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)
What Do Employers Look For?
(Source: Job Outlook for Students 2025, Courtesy of the National Association of College and Employers | www.naceweb.org)
Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume: Problem Solving, Teamwork, Written Communication, Taking Initiative, Strong Work Ethic, Technical Skills, Verbal Communication, Flexibility/Adaptability, Analytical/Quantitative, Detail-Oriented.
Factors Considered by Employers When Screening Candidates: Academic Major, Has completed an internship in the industry, Industry experience, Has demonstrated proficiency in competencies, Has completed an internship with the organization, Has held a leadership position, Has been involved in leadership/extracurricular activities, Has held part-time jobs in college to finance education, Has done volunteer work.