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Student Spotlight: Charlie Cheema
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT »
Nursery & Landscape Notes is introducing you to the next generation of green industry professionals by featuring current and recent college students with plans to pursue careers in the field.
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Charles Cheema
Student Profile
Name: Charles Cheema Hometown: Wilmington, NC College: Elon University, Alamance Community College (ACC), North Carolina A&T University
Graduation dates:
May 2019; ACC: June 2022; NC A&T: TBD
Major/Area of Study: Elon: outdoor education; ACC: horticulture; NC A&T: agricultural education
Horticulture-Related Places You Have Worked/
Interned: Garden Valley Farmer’s Market, Maple Grove Flower Farm
How did you discover horticulture?
During my senior year of college, I took a few agricultural education classes as part of my outdoor education degree program. Working in the greenhouses, in the nursery and out in the farm garden was an incredibly positive experience, and those courses were a saving grace for me during a tough time in my personal life. Realizing how much I loved working in the dirt and how much it helped my mental health and brought me fulfillment, I decided to pivot my professional path and work toward a career in horticulture. I reached out to Dr. Elizabeth Riley, head of the horticulture technology program at Alamance Community College, and she helped me plan my coursework and get started in the program.
What were your most valuable experiences, either in school or from other exposure to the industry, and why?
Going back to school to follow my passion was the best decision I’ve ever made. I feel confident that the in-person, handson learning at Alamance Community College has prepared me to be a worthy professional in the green industry. As part of the program, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to the Green Industry & Equipment Expo, the LANDSCAPES Conference and the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), where ACC placed 10th overall and third among community colleges. At NCLC, I placed in the top 10 in all three of my competitions: irrigation design, irrigation assembly and interior landscape design.
Working at a wholesale flower farm has been an invaluable experience for me, and being able to learn directly from
the owner of Maple Grove Flower Farm has helped me to develop my technical skills in plant production while completing my coursework at ACC. Having had the chance to assist with all aspects of production on the farm across multiple seasons, I am now much more confident in my skills.
What were your favorite college classes, and why?
My two favorite courses have been plant propagation and greenhouse operations. Although these courses don’t always provide lab activities that are as exciting as climbing trees in arboriculture practices or troubleshooting systems in landscape irrigation, they taught me the skills I needed for the career I want to build. My goal is to work in plant production before ultimately settling into teaching, and these courses gave me a solid foundation in production. The hands-on activities that took place in every single lab were meaningful, whether we were learning how to take cuttings, layer a plant or operate all the systems in a greenhouse.
What are your plans after graduation?
Following my graduation from Alamance this spring, I plan to work full time as a horticulturist while completing graduate school part time. I’m pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural education from North Carolina A&T University beginning in fall 2022. Following my graduation from NC A&T, I plan to continue working in the field — particularly in plant production — for some time before moving into a career in teaching. I’d love to teach horticulture courses at the undergraduate level, either at a two- or four-year school, but I want to be sure I have plenty of field experience under my belt first.
What advice would you give to a student interested in the field?
If you have any interest in horticulture, start by taking a course. Ideally, take a course with a lab portion that allows you to get hands-on experience working in the field. If you enjoy the coursework and/or the people you’ve met, don’t be afraid to seek out an internship or a job in the green industry, which is full of good people with big hearts and a willingness to help. If you are willing to put yourself out there, you will find people who can help you learn and grow as a professional in this industry.
Fun question: What is your favorite plant, and why?
This is too hard!! I’ll choose two. My favorite flowers are canna lilies because they provide a unique, tropical-looking foliage and flower, and can be grown as perennials in North Carolina. My favorite tree is Ficus benjamina, or the weeping fig, because it’s the first plant I ever air layered, as part of my first propagation class. I’m very proud of it, and it’s still thriving in my living room today!
Grown with love…sold with pride. Past, present & future varieties.
• Cold Hardy Zone 6 • Cold Tolerant Zone 7 • New Hybrids Zone 8 & 9
• Liners and 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 & 20
Gallons Available • Wholesale Only
805 Oakbury Court • Greensboro, NC 27455 phone: 336·643·3727 or 800·758·8121 fax: 336·643·0840 • www.camtoocamellia.com email: camtoo@earthlink.net
