Career Exploration:Botanist

Rebecca Klein5/2/12

SurveyGroup 1 4 Health & Medicine

Group 2 5 Agriculture & Sciences

Group 3 9 Art & Communications

Group 4 7 Engineering & Technology

Group 5 9 Business & Management

Group 6 7 Human & Public Service

Job Description Botanists study plants in many

categories such as structure, reproduction, development, diseases,

metabolism and growth. Botanists study plants because it is vital for the

existence of humans and animals since they produce food and oxygen. Some

botanists focus on herbalism, a type of subcategory that focuses on making

medicine from plants and plant extracts. Some botanists work on how

to genetically engineer plants to create new ones. Sometimes plants are engineered so they have a higher

resistance to pesticides, harsh environmental conditions, and many other problems that plants can face. They are also genetically engineered to have a higher nutritional value.

Required SkillsBotanists need to have good communication skill as well as being able to work with other

people cooperatively. Botanists need be good at problem-solving.

They have to have good researching skills and be able to interpret and analyze data. Good

oral presentation skills are useful to have and they must be able to use computers. They have to be logical

and be able to make good decisions. Botanists need to know

about chemical compositions, structures, their properties. They

also need to know how to properly dispose of the chemicals.

Education RequirementsTo become a botanist you need to have at least

four years in college and a Bachelor of Science degree. To research or teach botany

at a university, you must have a PhD and many positions in botany require a Master’s or a Doctor’s degree. To prepare for college,

high school preparation courses that are recommended include: Mathematics, foreign

language, English, biology, chemistry, physics, and social studies as well as

humanities considering botanists become involved in environmental issues in

communities and nations. Extracurricular activities that provide valuable experience include science fairs and have experience

working at nurseries, parks, or laboratories.

Work EnvironmentBotanists work for the government, universities, colleges, and research

departments of corporations. Botanists can also work for museums. Botanists can work “out in the field” in greenhouses and the outdoors while

some work in laboratories. They need to be able to work in greenhouses and the outdoors for long periods of time when doing an experiment. Botanists

travel to different places to collect plant specimen. They also spend time

working in offices and classrooms.

Work Schedule

The work hours for botanists are generally flexible. Most botanists

work more than forty hours a week. Their work hours often

depend on if they need to watch an experiment overnight or

around the clock with rotating shifts.

SalaryThe beginning salary for a botanist

is about $33,930. Although, pay also depends on your position.

For example, research technicians make about $33,000

while professors make about $95,00-$118,000. Average salary

is about $60,400 but it again varies with the position that you have. Heads of research sections

make about $108,000 and college department heads make about $129,000. Research vice presidents and directors makes

about $142,000.

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for botanists is generally good. Some fields of botany are

more competitive than others. Teaching jobs for universities and colleges are competitive.

The amount of positions available depends on money

and grants.

Related Occupations• An agronomist is a scientist of plants

and soil. Their job is to improve and increase field crops.

• Horticulturists work more with the culture aspect of plants and study

crops for items such as spices, medicines, teas, and coffee.

• Bryologists study liverworts, mosses and hornworts. They study the

plants ecology, classification, and identification.

• Plant pathologists work on the health of plants and treat diseases.

They often to find new ways to prevent or cure a disease that are

safe for farms and growers.

Advancement Opportunities

For botanists with a doctoral degree there are many advancement

opportunities. They can become the head of a research

department and become a full professor at a university of

college. They can also become the director of a government

agencies research. Botanists can become recognized in their

community after publishing some of their research findings.

Bibliographyo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanyo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalismo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_Engineered_Organism#Transgenic_plantso http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/havens/tsmith/curriculum/science/botany/botanical%2

0illustration/botanical%20illustrations/redpoppy.jpgo http://www.botany.org/bsa/careers/car-req.htmlo http://www.weber.edu/Botany/StudentHandbook/portfolio.htmlo http://www.mymajors.com/skills-and-knowledge/Botanisto http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/careerprofiles_details.cfm?carid=416o http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/390/Botanist.htmlo http://www.botany.org/bsa/careers/car-jobs.htmlo http://www.ehow.com/about_5118060_botanyrelated-career-choices.html