Page 28 - Mousumi: Unbelievable Transformation

educational training and experience. New positions in botany are expected to
increase at an above-average rate through the turn of the century. The growing
world population continues to increase the need for better food supplies.
Environmental concerns, such as air, water and soil pollution, will create
openings for ecologists in government and industry. The search for new drugs
and medicines and useful genes for improving crop plants will continue to create
a need for botanical explorers.

Educational institutions, High schools and community colleges have few
openings for those who wish to teach specialized courses, but there is little time
or equipment for research activity. Nevertheless, for botanists who primarily
enjoy teaching, such positions are very satisfying.

Most positions for professional plant scientists are in colleges and
universities. Almost all colleges and universities offer courses in plant science,
and there are faculty positions for botanists.

Industry is the third major employer of plant biologists. Drug companies, the
oil industry, the chemical industry, lumber and paper companies, seed and
nursery companies, fruit growers, food companies, fermentation industries
(including breweries), biological supply houses and biotechnology firms all hire
men and women trained in botany.

Requirements
Bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for most careers in botany. With
these, positions are available as laboratory technicians or technical assistants in
education, industry, government, museums, parks and botanical gardens. As in
other fields, higher positions are available with more education and experience.
Many positions require a Master's or Doctor's degree. A Ph.D. is required for
most teaching and research positions in colleges and universities.

The results of botanical research increase and improve our supply of
medicines, foods, fibers, building materials, and other plant products.
Conservationists use botanical knowledge to help manage parks, forests,
rangelands, and wilderness areas. Public health and environmental protection
professionals depend on their understanding of plant science to help solve
pollution problems.

Thus botany as a profession is involved with every sphere of life, is economically
useful and paves the way for many jobs.
Anitha Senthil

MSc. Botany

♦♦Career Mantra♦♦ Page 27