Career Basics
What is the difference between a job, an occupation, and a career?
Job = task for pay; Occupation = work with a title/duties; Career = long-term work with progress.
What is a pomologist?
A scientist who studies fruits and nuts.
What is the role of a greenhouse manager?
Responsible for the total operation of a greenhouse.
What does a nursery worker do?
Handles pruning, harvesting, grading, packaging, pest management.
Who teaches horticulture concepts at the high school level?
Secondary horticulture teacher.
What skills do employers value most in horticulture employees?
Personal skills (work ethic, promptness, attitude, hygiene).
What is an olericulturist?
A scientist who studies vegetables.
What does a propagator do?
Manages plant reproduction, propagation methods, and disorders.
What is the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect?
Designer = small-scale/residential; Architect = large-scale public
What is the role of a horticultural therapist?
Uses plants to provide therapeutic treatment for patients.
What education is recommended for horticulture careers?
High school, community/college, plus FFA and supervised experiences.
Name two types of jobs in pomology/olericulture production.
Orchard manager, vegetable farmer, field technician, crew leader.
What is the job of a floral designer?
Arranges flowers using art principles for occasions like weddings/holidays.
Who is responsible for building a landscape from design plans?
Landscape contractor.
What does a horticultural extension agent do?
Provides advice to farmers, homeowners, and groups using research-based info.
What is the difference between an employee and an entrepreneur?
Employee works for others; entrepreneur works for themselves.
What role does marketing play in fruit and vegetable production?
Sales agents and brokers help sell and distribute crops.
Who sells bulk flowers to professionals in the floral trade?
A wholesale florist.
What does an arborist specialize in?
Cultivation, management, and study of woody plants.
Who oversees plant collections at arboretums or botanical gardens?
Curator.
What is a horticulturist?
A general career title for someone trained in cultivation of flowers, fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants.
Where might pomologists and olericulturists work?
Labs, orchards, greenhouses, farms, universities, government agencies.
What does a greenhouse technician do?
Performs daily greenhouse tasks: watering, cuttings, packaging, maintaining light/temp.
What does a landscape maintenance technician do?
Cares for landscapes: mowing, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, irrigation.
Name three careers in turfgrass management.
Golf course superintendent, greenskeeper, sports turf technician (others: spray tech, sod farm manager).