Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship

A long-term evaluation of The Morton Arboretum’s Public Horticulture Internship Program was conducted. Of the 33 alumni of the internship between 2003 and 2019, 22 were contacted and asked to complete a survey and semistructured interview. Fourteen responded, representing interns who completed the p...

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Main Author: Matthew S. Lobdell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 2021-09-01
Series:HortTechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/31/6/article-p715.xml
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author Matthew S. Lobdell
author_facet Matthew S. Lobdell
author_sort Matthew S. Lobdell
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description A long-term evaluation of The Morton Arboretum’s Public Horticulture Internship Program was conducted. Of the 33 alumni of the internship between 2003 and 2019, 22 were contacted and asked to complete a survey and semistructured interview. Fourteen responded, representing interns who completed the program since 2003 though skewed somewhat toward more recent graduates. Results portrayed a well-received program that was generally effective in its goals. Forty-six percent of respondents were currently working in public gardens, including several in high-level administrative and leadership positions. Some that were not currently in the field pursued employment at public gardens, but were unsuccessful due to residing too far from a public garden, lack of available positions, failure to meet credential requirements of entry-level positions, or inability to earn a starting salary meeting their expectations. Others pursued adjacent green industry careers including environmental journalism or consulting. All respondents commented that the program provided effective exposure to public horticulture and careers at public gardens, although could be somewhat fast paced and overwhelming.
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spelling doaj.art-5c3563454c4b4d7893560383c1fa049d2022-12-21T18:34:40ZengAmerican Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)HortTechnology1943-77142021-09-01316715722https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04901-21Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture InternshipMatthew S. LobdellA long-term evaluation of The Morton Arboretum’s Public Horticulture Internship Program was conducted. Of the 33 alumni of the internship between 2003 and 2019, 22 were contacted and asked to complete a survey and semistructured interview. Fourteen responded, representing interns who completed the program since 2003 though skewed somewhat toward more recent graduates. Results portrayed a well-received program that was generally effective in its goals. Forty-six percent of respondents were currently working in public gardens, including several in high-level administrative and leadership positions. Some that were not currently in the field pursued employment at public gardens, but were unsuccessful due to residing too far from a public garden, lack of available positions, failure to meet credential requirements of entry-level positions, or inability to earn a starting salary meeting their expectations. Others pursued adjacent green industry careers including environmental journalism or consulting. All respondents commented that the program provided effective exposure to public horticulture and careers at public gardens, although could be somewhat fast paced and overwhelming.https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/31/6/article-p715.xmlbotanic gardenscollege studentsprofessional developmentteaching
spellingShingle Matthew S. Lobdell
Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
HortTechnology
botanic gardens
college students
professional development
teaching
title Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
title_full Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
title_fullStr Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
title_short Exploring Careers at Public Gardens: A Long-term Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Public Horticulture Internship
title_sort exploring careers at public gardens a long term evaluation of the morton arboretum public horticulture internship
topic botanic gardens
college students
professional development
teaching
url https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/31/6/article-p715.xml
work_keys_str_mv AT matthewslobdell exploringcareersatpublicgardensalongtermevaluationofthemortonarboretumpublichorticultureinternship