INDUSTRY EDUCATION
According to Hopkins , the program averages 150 undergraduate students , with most pursuing careers in general landscape management and maintenance .
“ We remind them that the number one type of landscape plant that they will be dealing with is turfgrass ,” he said . “ We do have students who go into turfgrassspecific careers , including sports field management and golf course management .”
Hopkins said that approximately 65 % of BYU students who graduate with a BYU Plant & Landscape Systems degree pursue landscape maintenance , while 10 % pursue careers in landscape design and construction , 5 % each in sports field management and golf course management , and the remaining 15 % entering other fields .
“ Our students have won first place five out of the last six years for the NALP ’ s National Collegiate Landscape Competition ( NCLC ),” Hopkins added . “ As such , there ’ s a very high demand for our students .”
Most BYU Plant & Landscape Systems students do industry internships , and all students also have opportunities to take part in research .
“ We also have a lot of what we call experiential learning , which involves everything from study abroad to service opportunities ,” said Hopkins . “ We have an outstanding student-led club , as well as many leadership opportunities . For study abroad , we usually offer four trips per year . This year we are going to Europe , Africa , Central America and Australia .”
Said Hopkins of the BYU students , “ They are wonderful . They ’ re good human beings , and I love working with them .”
For more information about Brigham Young University and the Plant & Landscape Systems major , visit https :// pws . byu . edu / undergraduate / nalp . SFM
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