Rebecca Klein 5/2/12

Group 14Health & Medicine Group 25Agriculture & Sciences Group 39Art & Communications Group 47Engineering & Technology Group 59Business & Management Group 67Human & Public Service

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.

Botanists 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.

To 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.

Botanists 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.

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.

The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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