Nature of work
A botanist is a biological scientist who specializes in the study of plants. One botanist may study mosses, while another does research on giant sequoias. Some may investigate microscopic structures within plants, while others look at the larger ecosystems in which the plants live. Like all biologists, a botanist is highly educated in his field.Botanists are often classified according to the types of plants that they study. For example, agronomists specialize in the study of agricultural crops and grasses. Marine botanists study plants that grow in the ocean.
Many botanists examine aspects shared by different plant species. Plant taxonomists, for example, identify and classify plants. Sometimes they explore unknown areas in order to find new types of plants. Plant physiologists are experts on the life processes of plants. They study how plants grow, reproduce, and manufacture food. Plant physiologists are concerned with the effects of temperature, humidity, light, and other environmental conditions on plant life processes. Economic botanists search for and develop plants that can be sold as food, drugs, fibers, or other useful goods.
Environment of work
This career gives a candidate many choices because working conditions vary widely throughout the field. For example, Some botanists can work indoors in clean, well-lighted laboratories. While, others may spend much of their time outdoors or in greenhouses. A botanist often spends part of his time in offices and classrooms. However, he might need to travel from time to time to sites where he can collect plant specimens. Working hours are generally flexible but often total more than forty hours a week. Because some experiments need to be tended around the clock, a botanist may sometimes have to work rotating shifts.A candidate should be curious and patient. He should enjoy working with plants and have the manual dexterity needed to handle delicate specimens and equipment. Also, he should be willing to spend long hours in the laboratory or greenhouse, planning and carrying out experiments. Although a botanist often works independently, he must be able to work well with others as members of scientific research teams. He should also be skilled at communicating his ideas to others.
Professional life
This career gives its employees many advancement possibilities especially for those who have a doctoral degree. They can become directors of research at government agencies or in private companies. Those who teach and do research at universities and colleges can advance to the rank of full professor. Many botanists feel that the highest form of advancement is to be recognized as experts in their areas of specialization. Generally botanists get this recognition after publishing significant research findings in professional journals.The number of newly trained botanists has continued to increase at a steady rate, creating further competition for grants. The market for teaching jobs in colleges and universities will remain competitive.
Range of typical starting salaries: 40000 SYP.
Getting the job
A botanist generally needs a doctoral degree. If a person wants to be a botanist, he should major in botany or biology as an undergraduate. He can receive a master's or doctoral degree in botany or in a more specialized area, such as plant physiology. Although there are some jobs for those with a bachelor's degree, such as technical writer or biological technician, opportunities for advancement are limited. There are some teaching and applied research positions for those who have earned a master's degree in an area of botany. A candidate needs a doctoral degree for a teaching and research position at a university or a job as an administrator. It generally takes four years to earn a bachelor's degree and another one or two years for a master's degree. A person needs to study for an additional three years to obtain a doctoral degree. a botanist must continue to study throughout his career to keep up with new findings in plant science. Skills
A candidate should show evidence of some skills such as, Critical-thinking skills. A botanist needs sound reasoning and judgment to draw conclusions from experimental results and scientific observations. Interpersonal skills also important. A botanist typically works on teams; therefor, he must be able to work effectively with others to achieve his goals. Moreover, a candidate should show evidences of observation skills because he must be able to notice slight changes in an animal’s characteristics, such as their behavior or appearance.A person who likes to apply for this career must have Problem-solving skills, for he usually tries to find the best possible solutions to threats that affect plants, such as disease and habitat loss. A botanist often gives presentations to colleagues, managers, policymakers, and the general public therefore he needs to be able to educate others on plants conservation and management issues. Additionally, he writes scientific papers, reports, and articles that explain their findings. For this reason writing skills and speaking skills are very important to take a role in this career.
Sources and references
If a candidate needs any further information on what is included in this file, you can visit the following websites: www.botany.org, Botanical Society of America
Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization.