{"id":12795,"date":"2019-11-15T12:22:26","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T17:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science-new\/?p=12795"},"modified":"2021-04-21T13:26:01","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T17:26:01","slug":"bridging-the-workforce-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/news\/bridging-the-workforce-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the Workforce Gap: A Partnership Between Academia and Horticulture Industries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>[spotlight-box label=&#8221;&#8221; img=&#8221;12803&#8243; heading=&#8221;Create a Student Career Experience&#8221; cta=&#8221;Register Now&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration&#8221;]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]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>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 <\/span><span>\u2013<\/span><span> enrollments are up! Many people and programs have worked together toward this common goal:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Horticultural Science Summer Institute (Liz Driscoll, Extension 4-H)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>ACT Supplemental Preparation in Rural Education (ASPIRE) pre-college program (Extension agents and high school teachers)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Horticulture Teacher Training and Grow Academy (Various Faculty)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Nominate a Student, <\/span><span>Student Transition Enrollment Advising and Mentoring<\/span> <span>(STEAM), and PackTrac (Academic Programs, CALS)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Student internship, research or teaching experiences<\/h2>\n<p><span>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 \u2013 they are critical in developing a student\u2019s preparedness for the workforce. Students often report that they are the most valuable experiences they have while pursuing their degree<\/span><span>1<\/span><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Where we need industry help<\/h2>\n<p><span>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:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span>Enroll in the database using this link: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration\"><span>https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>While employed, the student is protected under the university\u2019s liability insurance so there is no risk for you as the employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>[button]<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration\"><b>Create an Exloration<\/b><\/a><b><span>[\/button]<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<h2>Why should you host a student intern?<\/h2>\n<p><span>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 experience<\/span><span>2<\/span><span>. 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 \u2013 just beneficial for both the company and the student. Examples of such projects are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Design and construction of an irrigation system<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Design and begin the implementation of a scouting program<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Implementation of the use of a webpage or social media for marketing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Design and install a garden in a landscape<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Create customer education information<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Workforce Preparedness<\/h2>\n<p><span>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:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Excel, Outlook, AutoCad, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Truck, trailer, fork-lift operation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Communicating tasks and reasons for operations<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Spanish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Having a student intern is a win-win experience!<\/h2>\n<p><span>You will be helping shape a student\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Please contact, Helen Kraus, at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:Helen_Kraus@ncsu.edu\"><span>Helen_Kraus@ncsu.edu<\/span><\/a><span> if you have any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>1Citation for the educational value of an internship.<\/p>\n<p>2Finding the Right Intern. Mason Day. GrowerTalks p. 26 \u2013 28. May 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"<span>[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]<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span>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 <\/span><span>\u2013<\/span><span> enrollments are up! Many people and programs have worked together toward this common goal:\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span>Horticultural Science Summer Institute (Liz Driscoll, Extension 4-H)<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>ACT Supplemental Preparation in Rural Education (ASPIRE) pre-college program (Extension agents and high school teachers)<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Horticulture Teacher Training and Grow Academy (Various Faculty)<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Nominate a Student, <\/span><span>Student Transition Enrollment Advising and Mentoring<\/span> <span>(STEAM), and PackTrac (Academic Programs, CALS)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Student internship, research or teaching experiences<\/h2>\r\n<span>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 \u2013 they are critical in developing a student\u2019s preparedness for the workforce. Students often report that they are the most valuable experiences they have while pursuing their degree<\/span><span>1<\/span><span>.<\/span>\r\n<h2>Where we need industry help<\/h2>\r\n<span>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:<\/span>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><span>Enroll in the database using this link: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration\"><span>https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>While employed, the student is protected under the university\u2019s liability insurance so there is no risk for you as the employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<span>[button]<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/careerexploration\"><b>Create an Exloration<\/b><\/a><b><span>[\/button]<\/span><\/b>\r\n<h2>Why should you host a student intern?<\/h2>\r\n<span>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 experience<\/span><span>2<\/span><span>. 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 \u2013 just beneficial for both the company and the student. Examples of such projects are:\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span>Design and construction of an irrigation system<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Design and begin the implementation of a scouting program<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Implementation of the use of a webpage or social media for marketing<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Design and install a garden in a landscape<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Create customer education information<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Workforce Preparedness<\/h2>\r\n<span>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:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span>Excel, Outlook, AutoCad, etc.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Truck, trailer, fork-lift operation<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Communicating tasks and reasons for operations<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span>Spanish<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Having a student intern is a win-win experience!<\/h2>\r\n<span>You will be helping shape a student\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span>Please contact, Helen Kraus, at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:Helen_Kraus@ncsu.edu\"><span>Helen_Kraus@ncsu.edu<\/span><\/a><span> if you have any questions.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n1Citation for the educational value of an internship.\r\n\r\n2Finding the Right Intern. Mason Day. GrowerTalks p. 26 \u2013 28. May 2019."},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Horticultural Science 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 to connect employers with student experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":343,"featured_media":12796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[38,7,40,6,1,21,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic","category-academics","category-feature","category-impact","category-nc-state","category-other-news","category-students"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/343"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12795"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15063,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12795\/revisions\/15063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/horticultural-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}