What jobs are there in botany?

What jobs could I get in Horticulture, Forestry, or Botany?

• I and in college and undeclared. I need to figure out what to do for a career path and all I know right now is that I love plants and don't want to spend my life sitting behind a ...show more

• Answer:

  Unfortunately, there isn't much demand for plant related jobs. There is currently an excess of biology graduates relative to available jobs, even at the graduate level. Many jobs traditionally held by botanists are now being filled by wildlife biologists and cellular biologists. If you major in botany, be prepared for a tough job market, chances are pretty high that you will be working a non biology job after finishing your undergraduate studies in botany. You can major in forestry, but jobs are difficult to get, there is little job growth in this area. Most forestry jobs in the western states are with the federal government, you will most likely be doing a lot of temporary work until you land a full time position. There are jobs with private companies and untraditional employment opportunities, but there is a lot of competition. With a degree in horticulture you can probably work for landscaping companies or botanical gardens, greenhouses, plant nurseries, urban planning, etc.