Botanists as a Career Option

Do you still remember your first assignment to make a leaf collection given by teacher in the school and you have been ever since inquisitive to know more about plants around you. Your passion for plants can get you high flying career as Botanist, if you combine it with right education - a Botany/Plant Biology major.

There are opportunities galore for the Botanist in this increasingly technological world- from Biotechnology to environmental causes or other research firms. Besides working in research field there are ample of outdoor opportunities to work and travel which adds adventure to the work.

Role  of Botanists

• Monitoring, classifying and keeping computer records of plant species and process the data.
• Using sophisticated techniques and tools like electron microscopes, radioisotopes, digital imaging analysis, polymerase chain reaction, cell and tissue culture, satellite imaging and telemetry.
• Studying the effects on plants of human activities such as construction and farming, and of environmental factors like pollution and climate change.
• Advising the government on environmental protection policies.
• Studying plant genetics and evolution.
• Applying for grants and funding.
• Training and supervising junior staff, researchers and volunteers.
• Presenting the results of research in books and journals, and at academic conferences. 

Skills required to be Botanists

• Communications skills (listening, verbal, written)
  
• Computer and technical literacy
• Flexibility and ability to multitask
• Initiative and self-motivation
• Interpersonal abilities
• Planning and organizational skills
• Problem-solving and creativity
• Teamwork