Career Possibilities
Floral Designer
Floral designers, or florists, cut live, dried, or silk flowers and other greenery and arrange them into displays of various sizes and shapes. These workers design these displays by selecting flowers, containers, and ribbons and arranging them into bouquets, corsages, centerpieces of tables, wreaths, and the like for weddings, funerals, holidays, and other special occasions. Job duties often vary by employment setting. Most floral designers work in small independent floral shops that specialize in custom orders and also handle large orders for weddings, caterers, or interior designers. Some floral designers also assist interior designers in creating live or silk displays for hotels, restaurants, and private residences. Florists who work for wholesale flower distributors assist in the selection of different types of flowers and greenery to purchase and sell to retail florists. Self-employed floral designers must handle the various aspects of running their own businesses, such as selecting and purchasing flowers, hiring and supervising staff, and maintaining financial records.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Golf Course Superintendent
Golf Course Superintendents ensure proper care and maintenance of a golf course. They plan, assign, and supervise work of subordinates; supervises mowing, watering, weeding, rolling, spiking, and fertilization of greens, tees, and fairways and manage control of fungus, weeds, and rodents. They may also be responsible for planning construction greens, tees and fairways, including gathering of estimates and requisitions materials, supplies, and equipment needed. Many also analyze soil conditions and devise formulas to correct unhealthy conditions. Administrative tasks, such as keeping records, producing written reports, and preparing and controlling a budget, are also important. In addition, supervisors train workers in their tasks; keep employees' time records and record work performed; and even assist workers when deadlines are near.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Greenhouse Manager
Greenhouse Managers plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in propagating, cultivating, and harvesting horticultural specialties, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, mushrooms, and other plants. They must be able to identify plants and control diseases and pests. They manage all greenhouse personnel under their direction, supervising their activities and training them in the appropriate techniques for the plants being grown. Their work may involve training new employees in gardening techniques, inspecting facilities for signs of disrepair, and delegating repair duties to staff.
Source: National FFA
Landscape Manager
Landscape managers prepare cost estimates, schedule work for crews on the basis of weather conditions or the availability of equipment, perform spot checks to ensure the quality of the service, and suggest changes in work procedures. In addition, managers train workers in their tasks; keep employees' time records and record work performed; and even assist workers when deadlines are near. They also design exterior floral displays by planting annual or perennial flowers. Some work with landscape architects.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Nursery Manager
Nursery Managers are involved in the growing and selling of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. They must understand how to grow and manage a variety of plants. Nursery Operators my grow bedding plants to sell on the wholesale market or produce plants for retail sales to home owners and landscape contractors.
Urban Planner
Urban planners, also known as regional, community, or city planners, develop long- and short-term plans for the use of land and the growth and revitalization of urban, suburban, and rural communities. They help local officials alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems by recommending locations for roads, schools, and other infrastructure and suggesting zoning regulations for private property. This work includes forecasting the future needs of the population. Planners promote the best use of a community's land and resources for residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational purposes. They address environmental, economic, and social health issues of a community as it grows and changes. They may formulate plans relating to the construction of new school buildings, public housing, or other kinds of infrastructure. Planners also may help to make decisions about developing resources and protecting ecologically sensitive regions. Some planners are involved in environmental issues including pollution control, wetland preservation, forest conservation, and the location of new landfills. Planners also may help to draft legislation on environmental, social, and economic issues, such as planning a new park, sheltering the homeless, or making the region more attractive to businesses.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Viticulturist
Viticulturists breed and cultivate grape stock. They are concerned with the growing of grapes to produce quality wines. A large winery may employ professional viticulturists while in a small winery the winemaker may be the Viticulturist. Viticulturists keep records on sugar content, kinds of grapes used, weights, and other details. These records add to the body of knowledge and experience useful in wine making.
Source: National FFA
Learn more about majoring in Horticulture at the University of Illinois
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences website
- Courses in Horticulture
- Degree requirements for students majoring in Horticulture
