<p>It seems that botany is not very popular these days, all of the botany related job postings that I have come across have salaries that are much lower than other areas of biology. I really enjoy botany, but there does not seem like there is a lot of employment potential for botanists. In your opinion, is botany worth studying or is it better to have it as a hobby due to poor paying/lack of botany jobs?</p>
<p>As far as the pure science majors go, these do seem better served as a side interest or hobby and this is the position I have taken personally after much research and consideration. For best employment options, look at applied science fields like engineering- maybe biological engineering if it suits you and you still want to be involved in the field.</p>
<p>You will require a PhD for any pure science and even then job prospects are uncertain and sometimes poor. It’s unfortunate.</p>
<p>In any case, there would be a limited job opportunities at the bachelor’s-level.
Since a botany major still would take some coursework common to most bioscience specialties, e.g., evolution, genetics, etc., teaching is an option.</p>
<p>A lot might depend on what areas of botany interest you. You could pursue botanic interests within an Ecology & Evolution major, though that might not offer much better job prospects.</p>
<p>What about applied areas related to botany? Most of these would be agricultural and natural resource areas. Some of these would require graduate training.
-Horticulture, Floriculture
-Agro-ecology
-Forestry
-Landscape Architecture
-Agronomy, Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology
-Restoration Ecology
-Certain areas of Bioengineering
-Science Communication/Journalism
-Scientific/Botanic Illustration (if you have artistic talent & training)
-Seed Technology</p>
<p>Some links that might give you some other ideas:
[Opportunities</a> - Careers in Botany, Science Education and Outreach](<a href=“http://www.botany.org/bsa/careers/opportunities.php]Opportunities”>http://www.botany.org/bsa/careers/opportunities.php)
[What</a> jobs do Botany majors get after college? - Botany Forum - GardenWeb](<a href=“http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/botany/msg1222231515729.html]What”>What jobs do Botany majors get after college?)
[What</a> can I do with a major in Botany?](<a href=“http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/wcidwmib.html]What”>What can I do with a major in Botany?)
[Center</a> for Public Horticulture](<a href=“http://www.publichorticulture.udel.edu/careers/index.asp]Center”>http://www.publichorticulture.udel.edu/careers/index.asp)
[Careers</a> in Horticulture](<a href=“ASHS”>ASHS)
[Careers</a> in Horticulture](<a href=“http://www.agron.iastate.edu/plantscience/hort.htm]Careers”>http://www.agron.iastate.edu/plantscience/hort.htm)
[Horticulture</a> and Landscape Design Careers and Resources](<a href=“http://www.khake.com/page21.html]Horticulture”>Horticulture and Landscape Design Careers and Resources)
[Amazon.com:</a> Careers in Horticulture and Botany (Careers in… Series) (9780071467735): Jerry Garner: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Careers-Horticulture-Botany/dp/0071467734]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Careers-Horticulture-Botany/dp/0071467734)
[Botanists</a> Are in Demand and Have Many Career Paths to Choose | Environmental Science Jobs: GreenCareersGuide](<a href=“HugeDomains.com”>HugeDomains.com)
[Jobs</a> Environmental Botanist Careers Employment](<a href=“Environmental Employment | AgriSeek.com”>Environmental Employment | AgriSeek.com)</p>
<p>Ever heard of agricultural engineering? It seems like a good field to go into for me.</p>
<p>There are some decent botany jobs with the government and some with agricultural companies like Monsanto and Dow. However the number of jobs in comparison to the large number of graduates makes it difficult to have a career.</p>
<p>Almost all the sciences are in the same boat but most fields of biology are the worst.</p>
<p>Botany is a hobby that you should definitely pursue, but it’s not something you can make a career out of. You should major in agricultural engineering and minor in botany or major in mathematics and minor in botany. I think that would be a good fit.</p>