Pathway Description:

A career in plant and landscape systems offers a variety of job opportunities in the fields of education, research, golf and sports turf, landscape design, parks and gardens, public service, production management, and sales and marketing. Some jobs available include landscape designer, greenhouse manager, golf course superintendent, plant breeder, florist, agricultural chemical researcher, and garden center owner. Educational requirements in this field vary by job. Two‐ and four‐year programs are available in this area. Advanced degrees may be necessary for some research‐related jobs. Those who are interested in this field should be able to carry out projects and work independently, have a commitment to quality and customer service, have an appreciation of our natural environment and have good communication skills, both written and verbal. Employment opportunities in this field should be good, with more job openings than job seekers. Employment is expected to increase in response to the increasing demand for both products and services by commercial producers, landscape contractors, turf managers and the public. New avenues of research in biotechnology to develop plant and food crops that require less fertilizer, fewer pesticides and herbicides, and less water will also increase the demand for careers in plant science and horticulture. 

​​​​​​Target Career:

• Someone who wants to work with plant and landscape systems

Georgia Course Standards:

• Basic Agricultural Science
• General Horticulture and Plant Science
• Floriculture Production and Management

• Resources:

• Program of Study

• Career Student Technical Organization:

• FFA

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Pathway Description:

Veterinarians treat health problems of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. They are concerned with preventing, controlling, and curing animal diseases as well as researching human and animal health to develop new ways to prevent and cure diseases. Some veterinarians are meat inspectors, and others work in wildlife management. The American Medical Veterinary Association reports that about 70 percent of veterinarians work in private medical practices treating small animals. Almost one‐fourth of all veterinarians work in “mixed” practices, treating pigs, goats, cattle, and sheep in addition to companion pets. A small number of veterinarians treat large animals (horses or cattle) exclusively. These veterinarians drive to farms or ranches to provide services for herds or individual animals. Veterinarians involved in food safety and inspection check livestock for diseases that may be transmitted to human beings. They advise owners on the treatment of their animals as well as ordering quarantines when necessary. They may also inspect slaughtering and processing plants and enforce federal regulations concerning food purity and sanitation. Veterinarians must obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine after completing an undergraduate program. Competition is keen for admission to veterinary school. To apply, students should complete pre‐ veterinary course requirements (primarily science classes) as well as submitting test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). After graduation from an accredited veterinary program, veterinarians must earn a passing grade on a national board examination, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, before practicing veterinary medicine.

Target Career:

• Animal Scientists
• Veterinarians
• Veterinarian Technologists and Technicians
• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Animal Control Workers
• Farm and Ranch Managers

Georgia Course Standards:

• Basic Agricultural Science
• Animal Science and Biotechnology
• Veterinary Science

Resources:

• Program of Study

Career Student Technical Organization:

• FFA

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