Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

Horticulture is an exciting segment of agriculture that is growing ever more popular in the global economy. Horticultural Science uses all the tools of modern science to investigate the complex growth and developmental responses of horticultural crops and to develop solutions for problems confronting the horticulture industry. The North Carolina climate is conducive to the production and use of a wide variety of horticultural crops and services.

There are two majors options in Horticultural Science, Science and Technology. The Science option is intended for, but not limited to those students who feel they will go to graduate school or pursue a laboratory based career. The Technology option is intended for those students who plan a career in the plant-related business, teaching, work at the county extension level, in crop production, or other applied area after they graduate.

Courses include:

Plant Propagation, Gardening with Herbaceous Perennials, Interior Plantscapes, Residential Landscaping, Nursery Management, Principles of Ornamental Planting Design, Physiology and Culture of Temperate Zone Tree Fruits, Small Fruit and Vegetable Production, Greenhouse Management, Production of Floricultural Crops

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Horticultural Science courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Creativity
• Outdoor ability
• Oral and written communication
• Endurance
• Autonomy
• Teamwork
• Organization

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Course credit is available for this experience through the College of Agriculture and Sciences. You may or may not expect compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The CALS Career Services office provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Landscape Technician	Landscape Construction
Owner, Retail Garden Center	Private Industry
State Extension Specialist	Government
Horticultural Sales Representative	Crop Production and Sales
Horticulture Teacher	Education
Technical Writer	Gardening Magazines

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Research Horticulturist
• Plant Physiologist
• Community College Instructor

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 26,575
From CALS Career Survey-check in 111 Patterson Hall for more information about salaries

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

Horticulture Club
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Robert Lyons, 515.1192, bob_lyons@ncsu.edu

Pi Alpha Xi
Faculty Adviser: Frank Blazich, 515.1192, frank_blazich@ncsu.edu

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• American Society for Horticultural Science

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Horticultural Science
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 20th of September, 2010 at 10:32:42 AM

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