Botanists study plants, including their
structure, function, and evolutionary history. Many botanists work in research
laboratories or herbaria, where they conduct experiments or collect and
identify plant specimens. Others work in greenhouses or botanical gardens,
where they propagate and cultivate plants. Some botanists work in the field,
studying wild plants in their natural habitats. Many botanists hold a
bachelor's degree in botany or a related field, such as biology or
environmental science. A master's degree or doctorate may be required for some
research positions. Botanist is a good degree. Employment of botanists is
projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for
all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those with advanced degrees,
particularly doctorates, and experience working in applied settings such as
agriculture or environmental restoration. It usually takes 4 years to complete
a bachelor's degree. A master's degree generally requires 2 additional years of
study, and a doctorate another 4 years beyond that. Thus, it typically takes
about 6 to 10 years after completing high school to become a botanist.
