Dozens of agriculture, floriculture and horticulture companies nationwide connected with high school students to showcase careers within their businesses as part of Green Career Week, a new initiative led by Seed Your Future.
The grassroots event, Oct. 3 to 7, asked businesses in the industry to do at least one of three things: invite high school students to visit their business; send company representatives to high schools to talk about career opportunities; or join a social media campaign to promote green careers.
They're planning to do the initiative again in the future, so I had a chance to learn more in this interview.
Can you share a little bit about how Green Career Week got started? In my first year as executive director of Seed Your Future, I heard of the resounding need to connect with the next generation of industry professionals. Through conversations, I learned that many found Horticulture by accident, even after going to a school 2 miles from large greenhouses. How many students are missing out because they don’t know about careers and green industry companies in their community? We created Green Career Week, a national campaign to give the green industry the tools necessary to reach their local high school students highlighting careers and our industry a louder voice. It’s up to all of us to educate the next generation, and what better way than by students seeing the careers/businesses in action?
Three ways to get involved that week:
- Set up a field trip to the business site
- Send business representative(s) to a local high school or two
- Participate in the social media campaign by highlighting staff, interns, careers, and company culture
Why is it important for students to be aware of "green" career opportunities. It’s important because it’s another option for those that love nature. Don’t just experience nature on your personal time – work there! Can you imagine how beautiful your “workspace” can be when you are surrounded by plants, flowers, or trees? Public gardens, Arboretums, Garden Centers, Seed Companies, Growers these are all businesses that need the next generation of employees. 39% of green industry job go unfilled because students don’t know they exists, Seed Your Future is working towards changing that.
What might some students not realize about green jobs? I don’t think students realize the green industry has any job they might be looking for from working directly with plants to HR, accounting, marketing, communications, logistics, business, education, and sales – the opportunities are vast. People in this industry are passionate, supportive, and fulfilled; I want more students to be happy in their careers and I know here they will be. Our website lists 100+ different careers.
Seed Your Future is the movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. We envision a world where everyone understands and values the importance of plants and the people who work in the art, science, technology, and business of horticulture.
For more information, visit seedyourfuture.org
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