After completing your diploma of horticulture South Australia (SA), it is crucial to gain the necessary experience before getting into the real world. Getting started with your career in horticulture is both daunting and exciting. You are keen to get your hands dirty. However, all the job advertisements are asking for experience that you might not have. Here are some useful tips to help you gain gardening experience.
Internships, traineeships and apprenticeships
Various horticultural organizations offer internships, trainee and apprenticeship opportunities. Some of these are paid positions while others are unpaid. Most of the paid opportunities last for a year or more and combine theory with practical training to help you build a solid experience in a professional and structured setting.
Volunteering
The experience and confidence you gain from volunteering coupled with your qualification will lead to your first job. A horticulture diploma will not give you a job without the right experience. While volunteering is not feasible for everyone, if you are willing to spear a few hours a month, you can pick up some useful skills that will add a lot of value to your CV.
Seasonal work
This helps you get a foot in the door in the industry. Plant nurseries, garden centres, and national trust gardens are some of the places you can get seasonal work. However, the financial uncertainty that comes with doing seasonal work is a challenge but it is possible that you will be kept on after the end of the season. You will have at least a few months of experience in your CV.
Grow your own
A diploma of horticulture SA provides you with the necessary skills to grow your own. If you have a balcony, garden or allotment, you can get experience by growing your own. By growing and maintaining your own space, you will gain experience in plant nutrition, soil health, managing diseases and pests, planning and propagation.
