Horticultural Science: Now What?

Horticultural Science… Now What?

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

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/

Job and Internship Search Resources     

UMass Amherst Resources

UMass Handshake Database of Internships & Jobs                       https://umass.joinhandshake.com/

UMass Amherst Dept of Horticultural Science     https://www.umass.edu/earth-sustainability/horticultural-sciences  

Stockbridge School of Agriculture Internship Sites                      https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/internships

UMass Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies              https://www.umass.edu/ours/ 

Job and Internship Search Resources in Horticultural Science

Agricultural Positions in Massachusetts (Mass.gov)               https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl

AgHires                                                                                          https://aghires.com/horticulture/massachusetts-ma

Alliance of Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science Societies              https://careers.careerplacement.org/

ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Internships                         https://attra.ncat.org/internship-list/

CISA (local)                                                                                https://buylocalfood.org/classifieds/job-opportunities/       

Cool Works Internships                                                           www.coolworks.com/internships

Earthworks Jobs by Category                                                 http://earthworks-jobs.com/

Ecological Society of America: Fieldwork Internships              https://www.esacareercenter.org/

Environmental Careers Organization                                   http://www.ecojobs.com/

Environmental Career (post resume & apply through)              https://environmentalcareer.com/

Environmental Jobs                                                                 http://environmentaljobs.com

Hire Horticulture                                                                      https://www.hirehorticulture.com/

National Park Service (nationwide)                                      https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm

National Science Foundation REUs                                       https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/

World Wildlife Federation Jobs                                             https://wwf.panda.org/jobs_wwf/

General Science Jobs

Science Careers (widely defined)                                          http://jobs.sciencecareers.org 

New Scientist Jobs (widely defined)                                     http://jobs.newscientist.com/

NatureJobs (widely defined)                                                  www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/

USA Jobs (for ALL Federal Govt Jobs)                                    www.usajobs.gov

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)                                                 http://americanhort.org/

American Phytopathological Society (APS)                         http://www.apsnet.org/Pages/default.aspx

American Society for Agronomy                                           https://www.agronomy.org/

American Society for Horticultural Science                         https://ashs.org/

American Society of Plant Biologists                                     https://aspb.org/

Botanical Society of America                                                 https://www.botany.org/

International Society for Horticultural Science                   https://www.ishs.org/

MA Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA)               http://www.mnla.com/

Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS)                    http://www.newss.org/

Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)                           http://wssa.net/

What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2025 Job Outlook for Students)

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