Careers in Horticulture

Horticulture is a diverse field with many great job opportunities available. Here are some case studies from our former students.

Nicki Jackson, HNC Garden Design

Nicki worked in HR for 15 years before deciding to change careers and retrain as a garden designer

“The course has been really inspiring and the tutors helped me to feel that I could really do it. I have learned so much and am continuing to do so. I have a good business background but realised that I would need the qualifications to give me the knowledge and the credibility to give me a competitive edge”

Nicki now has her own Garden Design business – Blue Daisy Garden Design Ltd.

Olivia Renshaw, BSc Horticulture

As part of her course, Olivia spent a year working at Tatton Park, a National Trust property, where she secured a permanent job after finishing the course. She has also worked in three botanic gardens at Birmingham, Cambridge and Kew and holds an MSc in The Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants. Olivia now works on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, as the Assistant Conservation Officer.

“The BSc (Hons) in Horticulture at Pershore College covered a wide range of subjects and the tutors made it such a great course and gave me the enthusiasm to continue with my career in horticulture and now conservation.”

Olivia Kirk, HNC Garden Design

Olivia now has her own company; KKE Architects which employs ten people who work with hospices, hospitals and educational establishments all over the UK. Olivia designs and project manages the gardens and landscaping associated with the build work. She also designs private domestic gardens and has recently been commissioned to carry out various landscaping projects for the University of Worcester. Olivia has also won a gold and silver-gilt medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“I did my course at the same time as setting up my company, so I was an extremely focused student because I knew that everything I learnt could be applied directly to my daily working life. The course was a great help to me, particularly the practical knowledge I gained about soil science and horticulture.”

Joseph Atkins, HND & BSc (top-up) Horticulture

After an open event Joe enrolled on the HND course and then toped up to the BSc. After leaving Pershore he worked as a freelance horticulturalist for two years before starting the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Diploma. After graduating from Kew he returned to work at Pershore College as a Technician Instructor before becoming head gardener at Aberglasney Gardens. He has also been plant hunting and seed collecting in China, Chile, Southern Europe and more recently South Africa as well as being an active member of the RHS Trials Assessment Panel.

“Going to Pershore was an excellent choice for a place to start as it gave me a good grounding for the future and opened many doors for me."

Jason Daff , BSc Horticulture

Jason is now working as a research technician where he is developing new herbicides with the world-class crop protection organisation, Syngenta.

Jason says: “The course is a good mix of practical and academic. The college is very good and when I look back they are all positive memories. It’s got a good sense of a community, much better than a large institution.”

Rachel Warmington, HND & BSc (top-up) Horticulture

After graduating Rachel worked as a Head Gardener for 2 years and then spent 6 months as a horticultural tutor for 16 to 24 year olds with learning difficulties. She is now working towards fulfilling her ambition to work in research by doing a PhD at Warwick University through a funded studentship from the Horticultural Development Company.

“My studies at Pershore gave me the breadth of knowledge I need to be able to cope with my PhD, as well as giving me an understanding of plant botany and pathology. My tutor and lecturers were incredibly supportive and encouraging after I asked for their help and advice on applying for PhDs, so it is thanks to them that I am now doing something I love.”