Careers in… Plant Biology

1. Careers in…Plant Biology Crispin Taylor, PhD Robert Frost MS Career Day December 5, 2008

2. American Society of Plant Biologists • What does “plant biology” include? • Food • Research • Fuel and fiber • Farms • Gardens • The environment

3. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do plant biologists do? • Basic research • Corporate research • Agricultural research • Teaching • Conservation • Many other things…

4. American Society of Plant Biologists • Where do plant biologists work? • Schools • Universities • Companies • In the government • Many other places…

5. American Society of Plant Biologists • What skills do plant biologists (and scientists in general) need? • Curiosity • Critical thinking • Accuracy • Communication • Determination • Love of plants

6. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do you need to do to become a plant biologist (or any other kind of scientist)? • The longer (and harder) you work, the more options you’ll have! • And the more options you have, the happier you are likely to be!

7. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do you need to do to become a plant biologist? • Excel in math and science in high school • (4 years) • Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience) • (4-5 years)

8. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do you need to do to become a plant biologist? • Excel in math and science in high school (3 years) • Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience) (4-5 years) • Get a Master’s degree in science • (2 years)

9. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do you need to do to become a plant biologist? • Excel in math and science in high school (3 years) • Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience) (4-5 years) • Get a Master’s degree in science (2 years) • Go on for a PhD and postdoc • (another 8-plus years!)

10. American Society of Plant Biologists

11. American Society of Plant Biologists What path did I take?

12. American Society of Plant Biologists

13. American Society of Plant Biologists Pick YOUR path…

14. American Society of Plant Biologists • What do I like about my work? • Meeting people; communicating • Using my brain • Helping people • Making a difference • Working independently • Working in teams • Having time for my family

15. American Society of Plant Biologists • What is not so much fun? • Long hours • Busy weekends • Lots of travel

16. American Society of Plant Biologists Where do I work now? • In a lovely house in Rockville

17. American Society of Plant Biologists • And what do I do there? • Work for 5000 plant biologists • Work with 22 staff • Publish two scientific journals, online and in print • Support education and training • Go to meetings • HAVE FUN!

18. American Society of Plant Biologists Let’s look at some plants…

19. American Society of Plant Biologists And now (if we have time) let’s look at some plants that MOVE… http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/usbg/

20. Careers in…Plant Biology Crispin Taylor, PhD Robert Frost MS Career Day December 5, 2008