Plant Science Careers - What Can You Do with a Plant Science Major
Plant Scientists can work in a wide range of fields in different sectors such as industry (e.g., agricultural, horticultural, chemical, personal care, fragrance), academia (e.g., colleges and universities), government (e.g., USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, USDA-AMS, USDA-Forest Service, local parks and county governments/ cooperative extension), and allied health professions (e.g., Horticultural Therapy).
With a degree in Plant Science, you can:
- Help produce nutritious food to support a growing population.
- Breed new plants to help combat climate change (e.g., disease resistance, drought/heat stress tolerance).
- Prepare for graduate school, or a career in healthcare/allied health professions (yes, it is possible!).
- Implement and optimize methods of crop production for crops in urban and agricultural settings.
- Work in the cannabis industry (cultivation, manufacturing, marketing, sales etc.).
- Create innovative products in the flavors, fragrance, and personal care industries.
- Pursue a business career in plant supported industries (turfgrass, agriculture, horticulture etc.).
Where do Plant Science Graduates Work?
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Title Organization Sector Plant Healthcare Technician Aspen Tree Expert Co.,Inc. Industry (Horticulture) Propagation Manager Medford Nurseries Industry (Horticulture) Assistant Superintendent Springdale Golf Club Industry (Turfgrass) Manufacturing Associate Bristol Myers Squibb Industry (Pharmaceuticals) Formulation Chemist Wilbur Ellis Industry (Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing) Senior Scientist L'Oreal Industry (Cosmetics & Personal Care) Horticultural Therapist ArchCare Industry (Healthcare; Allied Health Professions) Data Scientist, Grain Markets and Agriculture Indigo Ag Industry (Agriculture) Cultivation Manager Ayr Wellness Industry (Cannabis) Assistant Grower Breakwater Treatment & Wellness Industry (Cannabis) 
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Title Organization Sector North Zone Botanist on the Tonto National Forest USDA Forest Service Government (Administration) Assistant Superintendent Bergen County Department of Parks & Recreation Government (Parks and Recreation) Horticultural Program Specialist Morris County Park Commission Government (Parks and Recreation) Farm Loan Officer USDA - Farm Service Agency Government (Administration) Master Gardner Program Coordinator Middlesex County EARTH Center Government (Cooperative Extension) 
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Title Organization Sector Research & Technical Assistant Rutgers University Academia (Research) Research Associate Rutgers University Academia (Research) Master's Student University of Bath, Masters in Sustainable Biotechnologies Academia (Graduate Studies) PhD Student Rutgers Plant Biology Graduate Program Academia (Graduate Studies) PhD Student Cornell Plant Pathology and Microbe Biology Program Academia (Graduate Studies) Masters of Business and Science (MBS) Student Rutgers MBS - Personal Care Science Concentration Academia (Graduate Studies) Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Coordinator I Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Academia (Cooperative Extension) Research Farm Supervisor Rutgers University Academia (Cooperative Extension) Senior Greenhouse and Field Technician Rutgers University Academia (Cooperative Extension) Tree Fruit IPM Program Associate Rutgers University Academia (Cooperative Extension) 
Professional/Educational Organizations with Career Development Resources (e.g., Job/Internship Opportunities, Trainings, Podcasts, Blogs etc.)
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- Seed Your Future
Learn about and explore promising careers in Horticulture (art, science, technology, and business). Also has a job board! - American Floral Endowment
For research, internships, scholarships, and education in floriculture benefitting all segments of the industry. - MetroHort
Opportunities for horticultural education, networking and jobs in the public and private sectors within the Tri-State Area. Also has a job board! - Hortidaily
International horticulture industry news and job opportunities. - Ag Careers
Jobs in the Agricultural and Food Industries. - Science Societies Career Center (ASA, CSSA & SSSA)
ASA: American Society of Agronomy
CSSA: Crop Science Society of America
SSSA: Soil Science Society of America - American Phytopathological Society
Understand the science of Plant Pathology and explore professional development opportunities in this field. - American Society for Horticultural Science Career Resources
Horticultural Research, mentoring programs, webinars, podcasts and more! - Plantae - Digital Plant Science Ecosystem
Explore the virtual global Plant Science community for educational, networking and training opportunities! - New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association
Professional organization for nursery and landscape industry NJ chapter. - National Association of Landscape Professionals
Professional organization for nursery and landscape industry - The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ)
Learn about organic farming, your local food systems and how to get involved in your community! - New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Opportunities for jobs/internships at the state level. - Federal Government Jobs
Opportunities for jobs/internships at the federal level.
List of Nursery Industry Magazines:
Learn more about the nursery industry, different career paths and ways to get involved!
- Seed Your Future
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Horticultural Therapy:
- American Horticultural Therapy Association
Learn about how you can use plants for rehabilitation as well as exciting career opportunities!
Turfgrass:
- New Jersey Turfgrass Association
Learn about turfgrass industry and explore professional development opportunities. - Golf Course Superintendents Association of America - NJ Chapter
Join to learn about golf course management do and explore professional development opportunities. - Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science
Learn about the world renown turfgrass research program, job/internship opportunities and ways for students to get involved. - TurfNet
Browse internship/job opportunities in the turf industry!
Plant Natural Products:
- Natural Products Utilization Research
Learn about the exciting plant natural products research to develop environmentally friendly pest management tools and more. - Perfumer & Flavorist
Flavors & Fragrance industry publication - get industry insights, expand your ingredients + formulation knowledge and more! - Cosmetics and Toiletries
Cosmetic industry publication - get industry insights, expand your ingredients + formulation knowledge and more! - New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists
Learn about cosmetic industry, trade shows/events and professional development opportunities for students and more! - The Fragrance Foundation
Learn about the fragrance industry and professional development events. - The Eco Well - Science Communication Platform
A dedicated science communication platform that provides accurate product information and scientific research related to cosmetics and personal care. Has great resources to learn more about the cosmetics and personal care industry! - Personal Care Council
Trade Association of Cosmetics and Personal Care companies. - Herb Society of America
Learn more about cultivation, preservation, and uses of herbs and explore scholarship/grant opportunities. - American Herbal Products Association
Learn about the history, science, and regulation of botanicals in the US herbal products industry.
- American Horticultural Therapy Association
Additional Career Development Resources at RU
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The following list is a sample of the career development resources available from the Office of Career Exploration and Success. Check out their website for a full list of all the resources and opportunities available!
- University Career Development Resources
- Overview of Career Resources for Students and Alumni
- Career Events
- Career Advising
- Find all the following online tools at Career Tools
- Handshake (search for jobs/internships and more!)
- Big Interview (resume and interview prep)
- Student Alumni Career Connect (connect with Rutgers alumni for career advice)
- Vault Industry Guides (learn about different careers in your field of interest)
- GoinGlobal (learn about global career opportunities)
- Peterson's Test and Career Prep (prepare for college/graduate school entrance exams)
- Traitify (assess your skills, interests, and values)
- Career Communities
- Career Opportunities for Majors in Plant Science (clicking this link will take you to the Rutgers Career Exploration & Success website)