Last month, your WSNLA President Katie Miller (Skagit Horticulture) and Vice President Kirsten Lints, CPH (Gardens ALIVE Design) attended 5 career &  networking events over a 3 day period connecting with emerging professionals at WSU and University of Idaho. The goal... to promote careers in horticulture.  

At all events, were fully engaged and asked pointed questions to learn more about the horticulture industry.  Plants, provided by Cascade Tropicals, helped to play a key role engaging with students. 100 two-inch plants were distributed over the three days.  In order to receive the free plant, students were asked to complete a survey. Data collected from 139 student survey’s has already helped inform the WSNLA task force focused on promoting horticulture careers to college and high school students..

The three graphs below give a snapshot of the data collected.

1)  72% of students sought out the WSNLA table to specifically gather information on internships or careers in horticulture.

2)  79% of students recorded their major as other. Upon further review of comments, this included aligning science and environmental majors, but also a much larger variety of non-traditional majors, including: data analyst; chemical engineering, computer science, film & tv studies, and more.

3) Students interest in the industry varies, but it is clear the interest in growing of plants and trees is high.

Conversations with Miller and Lints reflected student's general interest in a horticulture career and the desire to learn more about how to take their learned knowledge and skill and leverage it professionally into the industry.  The WSNLA Task Force will be continue to participate in career fairs across Washington State and is working to develop videos that can be used for promotion of horticulture careers. 

 Thank You To Our Supporters of Promoting Careers in Horticulture

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