Bridging the Workforce Gap: A Partnership Between Academia and Horticulture Industries
[spotlight-box label=”” img=”12803″ heading=”Create a Student Career Experience” cta=”Register Now” url=”https://go.ncsu.edu/careerexploration”]Horticultural Science students have wide-ranging interests and hopes for horticultural careers. We are developing a database of these opportunities to connect employers with student experiences.[/spotlight-box]
The Department of Horticultural Science at North State University has been working hard to increase our enrollments of students seeking a degree in horticultural science. We have had some good success – enrollments are up! Many people and programs have worked together toward this common goal:
- Horticultural Science Summer Institute (Liz Driscoll, Extension 4-H)
- ACT Supplemental Preparation in Rural Education (ASPIRE) pre-college program (Extension agents and high school teachers)
- Horticulture Teacher Training and Grow Academy (Various Faculty)
- Nominate a Student, Student Transition Enrollment Advising and Mentoring (STEAM), and PackTrac (Academic Programs, CALS)
Student internship, research or teaching experiences
A graduation requirement for all these students is to have either an internship or research or teaching experience. These out-of-the-classroom learning experiences are more than just enriching – they are critical in developing a student’s preparedness for the workforce. Students often report that they are the most valuable experiences they have while pursuing their degree1.
Where we need industry help
Our students have wide-ranging interests and hopes for horticultural careers. We need a wide range of opportunities for them. We are developing a database of these opportunities so that student experience providers can connect. The process is easy:
- Enroll in the database using this link: https://go.ncsu.edu/careerexploration
- Once approved, fill out an experience description. Tell the students a little about your company and the range of experiences that you can provide them. This position description will remain active in the database until you ask to have it removed.
- Students will search the database and reach out to companies with positions that are of interest to them. If you and the student are in agreement this opportunity is a good match, the student applies to your position directly through your company.
- Once hired, the student and the employer complete a growth plan that defines the learning opportunities and a student-led project. The student-led project should benefit both the student and the company.
- While employed, the student is protected under the university’s liability insurance so there is no risk for you as the employer.
[button]Create an Exloration[/button]
Why should you host a student intern?
Because they can add new energy to your company, can contribute to meaningful projects, or may become a future employee. To get the most of a student, you need to provide a meaningful experience2. As a company, think about the projects and opportunities that are either new or ongoing in your company and how a student can participate. These projects and opportunities do not have to be large and grandiose – just beneficial for both the company and the student. Examples of such projects are:
- Design and construction of an irrigation system
- Design and begin the implementation of a scouting program
- Implementation of the use of a webpage or social media for marketing
- Design and install a garden in a landscape
- Create customer education information
Workforce Preparedness
Businesses should also think carefully about what skills they need a student to have before they begin work and what they are able to teach them. For example, do you need a student to be experienced in:
- Excel, Outlook, AutoCad, etc.
- Truck, trailer, fork-lift operation
- Communicating tasks and reasons for operations
- Spanish
Having a student intern is a win-win experience!
You will be helping shape a student’s career in horticulture. In return, you will get a boost of energy in your business. The Department of Horticultural Science is here to help you create your internship program and connect you to students.
Please contact, Helen Kraus, at [email protected] if you have any questions.
1Citation for the educational value of an internship.
2Finding the Right Intern. Mason Day. GrowerTalks p. 26 – 28. May 2019.
