Plant Science
About the Major
In the Plant Science major, students learn about conventional large-scale farming, organic agriculture, new sustainable production practices, medicinal plants, greenhouse management, and turf and lawn management.
You'll do all this in the classroom, online, in greenhouses, in the field, and possibly through study abroad.
Career Outcomes
Where do students work after graduation?
Where do students work after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Arborist | Brat Tree Co |
| Assistant Grower | Living Greens Farm |
| Associate | Syngenta |
| Bio-hazard Technician | Assured Decontamination Services |
| Farm Manager | Scott Buboltz, Jeff Buboltz |
| Graduate Research Assistant | Texas A&M University |
| Grounds Crew | White Bear Yacht Club |
| Lab Technician | Danforth Plant Science Center |
| Lab Technician | University of Minnesota |
| Lead Gardener | Bachman's |
| Plant Breeding Assistant | Betaseed |
| Plant Pathology Technician | Kelly Services |
| Plant Science Intern | Disney |
| Regional Account Lead | AgXplore |
| Research Assistant | HM Clause |
| Research Technician | KWS Group |
| Research Technician | University of Minnesota |
| Researcher | University of Minnesota |
| Researcher | University of Minnesota |
| Sales Rep | Gardenworld, Inc |
| Sales Representative | Bachman's Inc. |
| Teen Garden Crew Supervisor | Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board |
| Turfgrass Management Intern | Trinity Forest Golf Club |
Where do students continue education after graduation?
Where do students continue education after graduation?
| Program | School |
|---|---|
| Agronomy | Texas A&M University |
| Agronomy | University of Wisconsin |
| Applied Plant Sciences | University of Minnesota |
| Applied Plant Sciences | University of Minnesota |
| Applied Plant Sciences | University of Minnesota |
| Biology | New York University |
| Crop Science | North Carolina State University |
| Crops & Soil | Michigan State University |
| Data Science | Northwestern University |
| Entrepreneurship | Southern New Hampshire University |
| Landscape & Atmospheric Sciences | University of Minnesota |
| Law | University of Minnesota |
| Pharmacy | University of Minnesota |
| Plant Breeding/Molecular Genetics | University of Minnesota |
| Plant Pathology | University of Minnesota |
| Plant Pathology | Cornell University |
| Plant Pathology | University of Minnesota |
| Plant Science | University of Minnesota |
| Plant Sciences | North Dakota State University |
| Plant Sciences | University of East Anglia |
| Soil Science | University of the Philippines - Los Banos |
| Teaching Licensure | Iteach Network |
Where students interned and gained experience during school
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Founder | Reaching Roots |
| Graduate Reseacher | University of Washington |
| Operations Technician | Cargill |
| Senior Midwest Regional Manager | Moishe House |
| Vice-chair of Graduate Student Committee | The American Phytopathological Society |
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Assistant Extension Professor | University of Minnesota- Mankato |
| Botanist and Restoration Ecologist | Independet Contractor |
| Founder | Mississippi Mushrooms LLC |
| Territory Manger | Corteva Argiscience |
Full outcomes report including salary, locations, satisfaction, and more
Common Entry-Level Job Titles
- Agronomist
- Greenhouse Manager
- Horticulturist
- Plant Biologist
- Plant Researcher
- Sales Representative
- Turfgrass Manager
Top Employers
- Bachman's
- Betaseed
- Living Greens Farm
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Syngenta
- University of Minnesota
Types of Employers
- Agricultural businesses
- Arboretums
- Environmental agencies
- Golf courses
- Government agencies
- Greenhouses/Nurseries
- Seed companies
- Universities and colleges
Top Career Resources
- Plant Science Job Postings in Handshake
- Crop and Soil Science Societies
- TurfNet
- Plant Science Department Job & Scholarship Postings
- Plant Science Department Internship Postings
- AgCareers
- American Society of Plant Biologists - Plantae Careers
- Botanical Society of America Careers
- Federal Government Including USDA and ARS
- Hire Horticulture
- National Association of Plant Breeders Postings
- Seed Your Future - Internships
- State of Minnesota Including Dept of Ag
Meet Your Career Consultant
Maddie (she/her) can assist you with
- Major and career exploration
- Internship planning
- Job searching
- Interview prep and practice
- Grad school planning and more...
Additional Resources
In addition to these resources we recommend the following strategies to locate more information about careers related to your major:
- O*NET and Careerwise. These tools provide comprehensive information about a wide range of careers including typical duties, salaries, employment outlook, skills and interests.
- Locate professional associations related to your major or career interests by conducting a Google Search on “(Name of major/career area/industry) professional associations.” Try these keywords: plant science, horticulture, greenhouse, turf, agronomy, arboriculture, plant production, floriculture, plant pathology, seed.
- Get involved in one of the many industry-related student groups on campus. These groups provide links to experiences, guest speakers, and discussion with like-minded students.
- Study Abroad Information for Plant Science