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First, some facts. Of the Botany and Plant Biology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 55 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Botany and Plant Biology graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 43% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Botany and Plant Biology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from Cornell University with a Bachelors Degree in Botany and Plant Biology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraduate Research Assistant University of Minnesota Aug 2017 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking through the various career paths taken by people who graduated with degrees in Botany and Plant Biology, it’s clear that there’s a notable spread in the relevance of the jobs they obtained. A significant number of them found themselves in roles related to horticulture, research, and environmental management, where their knowledge in plant biology was directly applicable. For instance, many graduates secured positions as horticulturists, which fundamentally requires in-depth botanical knowledge for maintaining plant health and understanding growth processes. These roles highlight a direct connection between their education and everyday job responsibilities, showing how valuable their degree can be in hands-on, plant-centric careers.
However, not all paths followed suit. There are numerous examples of graduates venturing into fields that, at first glance, appear unrelated to their academic training. Roles such as customer service representatives, sales associates, or marketing managers often indicated a departure from any use of botanical knowledge. For instance, graduates moving into retail or journalism fields tend to utilize general skills rather than those specifically tied to Botany and Plant Biology. This reveals a reality where many graduates may have found broader job opportunities outside their specialized field, sometimes leading to positions that don’t require the skills honed during their studies. The landscape of job offerings for those with a Botany degree is diverse, exhibiting both strong connections to plant sciences and instances of disconnect where their skills may lie dormant in unrelated roles.
Overall, it seems that while many graduates managed to find relevant positions that utilized their skills and knowledge in botany, a significant number also settled in roles where such expertise wasn't the primary focus. This duality speaks to the versatility of a Botany and Plant Biology degree, highlighting both the specialized career opportunities available and the more generalized roles that grads might fall into, depending on job market dynamics and personal interests. For students considering this field, it encourages the notion of keeping an open mind about career possibilities while also stressing the importance of seeking out experiences that align closely with their botanical training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Botany and Plant Biology graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Botany and Plant Biology, it’s interesting to see the variety of paths they take. Right after graduation, many of them seem to jump into roles related to horticulture, research, or support positions within botanical or ecological settings. For instance, a graduate from the University of Washington, after working in customer service, quickly transitioned to being a horticulturist at multiple companies. Similarly, someone from North Carolina State University found a starting role as a horticulturist right after graduation. This pattern suggests that many graduates find their first jobs in fields that are directly connected to their studies, which is a positive sign because it means they are applying their knowledge immediately.
However, as we look a little further down the line—5 to 10 years after they’ve graduated—the picture becomes a bit more varied. Many graduates stick within the realms of research or plant biology, taking on roles like Research Fellow or Scientist at relevant organizations. For example, the University of Washington graduate from 2011 moved through several prestigious research positions and is now working as a scientist. That’s definitely a solid trajectory for someone in this field! Yet, there are others whose paths veer off substantially from botany and plant biology into areas that seem unrelated, like journalism or insurance, which is also observed with graduates from National University in Bangladesh and Miami University. These shifts can indicate a struggle to find relevant positions or possibly a change in career interests altogether.
In summary, while there are definitely graduates who find fulfilling careers directly in Botany and Plant Biology, it's clear that not everyone is able to sustain that connection over time. Some end up in positions that, while perhaps still using their skills, are not directly tied to their initial field of study. So, if you're thinking about pursuing a degree in this area, it’s worth noting that while the initial roles might be closely tied to botany, the long-term outcomes can be quite diverse. Keep an open mind about your career path, and remember that not every degree leads to a linear career that matches your studies exactly!
A Bachelor's degree in Botany and Plant Biology can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you're into plants, ecosystems, and the science behind how they function, you might find it exciting and engaging! There's definitely a lot of memorization involved, especially when it comes to plant anatomy, taxonomy, and various processes like photosynthesis. Plus, you'll likely have to get your hands dirty with lab work and field studies, which can be a lot of fun but also requires attention to detail. Overall, it's not necessarily harder than other science degrees, but it does demand a solid commitment and a genuine curiosity about the natural world. So, if plants get you hyped, you'll probably enjoy the journey!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Botany and Plant Biology.
Looking at these graduates and their job paths, it seems like some of them might be doing pretty well financially, while others may be struggling a bit more. For instance, those who have secured positions as scientists or in higher-level roles, like the postdoctoral researchers or the ones working at well-known insurance companies, likely have decent salaries. Jobs in academia or research, especially at institutions like the University of California or Howard Hughes Medical Institute, often come with good pay and benefits. On the flip side, some of the early-career roles in customer service or internships, like those at Whole Foods or as an associate at Amazon, probably won’t bring in the big bucks, especially in entry-level positions.
Overall, it really depends on the specific field and role each graduate has moved into. Those landing roles as horticulturists or in the cannabis industry—where things can be booming—might have excellent earning potential. In comparison, people with more general or entry-level jobs may not be making a lot as they start out. So, while some of these grads are likely seeing a solid paycheck, others might still be figuring things out financially in the early stages of their careers.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Botany and Plant Biology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Botany and Plant Biology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Botany and Plant Biology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: