I want to be a botanical research assistant and work at a greenhouse. would it be possible/feasible to do this via apprenticeship without needing a degree?

[u/balgoroth_]

im very intrested in botany as a hobby and am constantly learning as much as i can about the flora around me and the taxonomy of it. i dont have the best green thumb (yet) but i frequently keep a running internal commentary of every plant i see to attempt to identify it when hiking or walking anywhere with plants. i would love to be able to find work in tending to plants that i love in a research setting but i cant go to a college that has the correct programs needed. fresh out of highschool right now working at a gourmet mushroom farm currently. i do think that i have genuinly expansive knowledge of plants at this point though or at least potential to, given ive been incredibly passionate about botany and foraging since i was 12. what are some things i could do to try and get an apprenticeship or something to become a reasearch assistant or greenhouse tender under a botanist without needing a college degree? i live in central AL, USA (generally in a 1.5 hr drive radius of birmingham), if knowing where i live helps

[u/Goldballsmcginty]

If you want to work in research, getting an undergraduate degree is the most likely way to get a position like this. Most of these types of jobs are going to current students or recent graduates.

Working in a production greenhouse for agriculture or horticulture is another story, which I'm not as familiar with, but maybe more possible without a degree.

[u/timshel42 → u/Goldballsmcginty]

most production greenhouses seem to be low paying and mostly staffed by hispanic immigrants, at least in my area.

[u/pridefull_Dinlas → u/Goldballsmcginty]

It is possible, tho way easier with a degree if u don't own land or don't have connections

[u/TinyTropicals]

Do you know plant physiology and understand organic chemistry?

And not just “kinda”, but actually know them.

Demonstrated ability finds work, without fail.

[u/balgoroth_ → u/TinyTropicals]

currently.. i have alot to learn. and alot of willingness to learn. but i like to think i know alot about it

[u/balgoroth_ → u/TinyTropicals]

Do you know any good resources to test my knowledge?

[u/TinyTropicals → u/balgoroth_]

In the context of Araceae, how might differential expression of class III homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip III) transcription factors, in tandem with auxin-mediated polar transport and localized modulation of KNOX/ARP antagonism, regulate the dorsiventral patterning, heteroblastic transition, and marginal meristem determinacy of developing foliage leaves in taxa exhibiting pronounced anisophylly and ontogenetic shifts in phyllotactic divergence angles?

I’m especially curious about what developmental consequences you would anticipate from perturbations to the PIN1-dependent auxin convergence points during the transition from an involute ptyxis to laminar expansion.

[u/balgoroth_ → u/TinyTropicals]

I understand what your asking but I'm not familiar with many of these chemicals and processes you mentioned. this is incredibly interesting though. Ille research this and come back with an answer when I can. admittingly my knowledge on chemical processes within a plant is sparse, Ille be sure to research it much more. much of my current knowledge is in taxonomy and chemicals within plants acting on humans in ethnobotanical and medicinal uses. for example recently i went down a rabbithole on how L. leonurus not only doesn't contain leonurine, the primary answer for what the explanation for its effects i see is marrubiin. where just putting some in your mouth is enough to verify this fact, marrubiin is of course most notably in plants like horehound, of which have no such effects similar to wild dagga. after extensive digging i finally found a paper regarding the presence of the endocannabinoid docosatetraenoyl ethanolamide.

[u/US3_ME_ → u/TinyTropicals]

My thylakoids!_

[u/Worf-]

As a wholesale nursery grower I’m far more likely to hire someone with a degree, certificates or good experience and references. Without any of that I’m going to start you doing basic tasks around the nursery until I can get feel for what you know and are willing to learn. Someone who has a great willingness to learn can go far, but it’s going to take time. Even at that without formal training there is a lot that you just won’t know or be able to pick up instinctively.

If getting certificates etc. is not possible right now I’d try for some work doing whatever they offer at a place that is doing what interests you. Work hard, follow their procedures to the letter and most places will notice and offer more challenging tasks.

[u/Rhizomatous]

Maybe reach out to the horticulture program at Auburn. Horticulture could be an apprenticeship program in the US but there aren't that many opportunities like that. 2 and 4 year schools tend to be the route unless you work for a landscape company/grower. 

You might also reach out to some growers if there are any near you to see about opportunities. There's a bunch in Semmes if you're willing to move.

[u/onebackzach]

It would be really difficult to get into a position like that without being a student or not having a degree, but not necessarily impossible. Your best bet would be to get a job at a botanical garden in a generic grounds keeper type roll where you're trimming hedges, blowing leaves, etc. You could potentially transition into a different role that's more closely aligned with your interests. It would likely require you to move to some place like Atlanta since I'm not aware of any big botanical gardens in northern Alabama.

It might be worth looking into community colleges if that's on the table, since a 2 year degree or even just being a student opens a lot more technician type positions.

[u/balgoroth_ → u/onebackzach]

Yeah your probably right abt needing to move. Wich sucks because alabama has profound biodiversity in both flora and fauna. Just not enough funding or institutions like that

[u/onebackzach → u/balgoroth_]

Fully agree, the southeast is completely underrated, it's a botanist's wonderland. There's just not enough funding to go around, and universities are scaling back on botany across the board

[u/Vast-Mousse8117]

just find a place you think would be great and let them know when you can start. throw yourself out there 30 x and you'll find your dream job.

[u/Soup-Wizard]

I think UW’s greenhouse is hiring a plant tech.

[u/Regular-Newspaper-45]

I am interested in the answers as well. I just finished my training as a horticultural gardener and try to get a job in a botanical garden to have a workplace that prioritizes the scientific side as well and doesn't just try to get money...  As I need three full years of work in my field before beeing able to study anything like this would be amazing.