Do you have a “green thumb?” Relax, it doesn’t mean you’re turning into the Hulk. It means you like plants, and you’re good at taking care of them. And that means you might make a good horticulturist, or a scientist who studies plants. Think about it—plants are living things, and there are thousands of different kinds (fruit, vegetables, and trees all count). Horticulturists are trained to understand how these different plants live, how to grow them, and how to keep them alive and healthy. In this job, you do most of your work in the field—in greenhouses, on farms, or in parks and terrariums. You also may be hired to consult with landscaping companies or teach classes on plant science at universities. So if this sounds like a dream career for you, then keep your thumb green and go get a bachelor’s degree in horticulture.
The Details
Horticulturists can put their knowledge to good use to help the environment—for instance, in the mining industry, they’re called in to help revitalize land that has been ravaged by the mining process.
For budding horticulturists in Texas, you can get one of the best horticulture internships around at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, offering hands-on experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.
