Careers in Horticulture

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in horticulture? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user hortulus

Do you like gardens and plants? A career in horticulture may be for you. As a new grad you could work in many industries and in a variety of occupations. A few options to consider include:

Landscape architecture: Design exterior spaces for function and beauty
Research technician: Research plants to learn more about them and their uses in other fields
Greenhouse manager: Care for and breed plants in a greenhouse
Floral designer: Design floral arrangements
Plant science educator: Plan and teach science lessons
Botanical gardener: Maintain a variety of plants at a local botanical garden

Most of these opportunities require a bachelor’s degree with a life science background. If you’re interested in research or post-secondary teaching positions, you’ll need to get a master’s or doctorate degree.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Horticulture

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Brooklyn Botanic Garden is “an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity."

See the complete Brooklyn Botanic Garden profile

Old Sturbridge Village - Old Sturbridge Village is the “largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast” and it “depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s.”

See the complete Old Sturbridge Village profile

San Francisco Botanical Garden Society - San Francisco Botanical Garden Society is a non-profit that supports “55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces" in Golden Gate Park.

See the complete San Francisco Botanical Garden Society profile

Canopy - Canopy is a Palo Alto, CA based “environmental nonprofit that engages the community in the growth and care of our urban forest.”

See the complete Canopy profile

Crop Quest - Crop Quest is a Dodge City, KS based “innovation-driven leader in crop consulting and agricultural production management and solutions."

See the complete Crop Quest profile

BrightFarms - BrightFarms is a New York, NY based company that "designs, finances, builds, and operates hydroponic greenhouse farms at, or near, supermarkets."

See the complete BrightFarms profile

Queens Botanical Garden - If you love flowers and plants and like what you’ve read about the Queens Botanical Garden, then you have to take a look at their Jobs page.

See the complete Queens Botanical Garden profile

Driscoll’s - Driscoll's is a Watsonville, CA based purveyor of premium berries, and they have all kinds of job opportunities available.

See the complete Driscoll’s profile

Urban Sprouts - Urban Sprouts is a San Francisco based non-profit that is using gardening to grow "healthy schools and communities," and they're hiring.

See the complete Urban Sprouts profile

American Horticultural Society - If you love gardens and gardening, then a job with the American Horticultural Society would be a perfect fit.

See the complete American Horticultural Society profile

Sacramento Tree Foundation - Do you love trees? If so, then a career with the Sacramento Tree Foundation might be a great fit for you.

See the complete Sacramento Tree Foundation profile

Hamilton Farm Bureau - This morning I heard an NPR segment on Hamilton Farm Bureau and how they're having trouble finding talent. Maybe you can be the solution to their problem.

See the complete Hamilton Farm Bureau profile

Saint Louis Zoo - Saint Louis Zoo is a great zoo, so if you don’t apply for a job with them, at least give them a visit.

See the complete Saint Louis Zoo profile

Commonstudio - When you come across ideas that grab you, you need to act on them. Reach out to the folks at Commonstudio and see if there might be a role for you.

See the complete Commonstudio profile

Seed Savers Exchange - Seed Savers Exchange maintains "more than 25,000 endangered vegetable varieties," and they're looking to hire entry level people to help them do that.

See the complete Seed Savers Exchange profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in horticulture.

Careers in Horticulture

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Horticulture

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in horticulture: