Horticulture Career Pathways

Mundaring Christian College V isit

Admittedly in today’s world, there BY SAM GRUBIŠA are a few questionable antics listed, INDUSTRY yet I dare you to show me a more EXTENSION OFFICER, charmed childhood. VEGETABLESWA It must have left an impression…coz H orticulture is life. Well, it’s my life and has been since I look at me now! I’m still involved in the industry that gave me a fairly unique set of life skills, an appreciation for hard work and a vocabulary to rival that of even the most seasoned sailor. can remember. So, when vegetablesWA was Much of my childhood is filled with memories of building go karts out of old wooden crates so my sister could tow my cousin and I down the hill behind the tractor, “helping” my Dida chop Rhubarb crowns with a The career possibilities in horticulture are endless... approached by Mundaring Christian College to speak to a group of high school kids about the merits of a career in Horticulture; and my name was the only one put forward as speaker…I was slightly concerned. massive cleaver for transplanting and Could I do it? Absolutely! Could wiping my after-school snack (Dad’s I keep it “unsailor-y”, while representing baby carrots) in my armpit to get the dirt the industry I love to a bunch of and residual chook poo off before I ate it. impressionable minds? Hopefully! Karen, Amber and I met in the car park of VegWA HQ early on August 5th for our trek up into the hills. After fighting with a USB that refused to be a team player, we were on our way. On arrival (after I skilfully drove IN the exit) we were ushered straight through to the first presentation. I remember being 16…I was awful (ask my Mum)…so I was prepared for the worst. You can imagine my surprise when we walked into a room of conscious, engaged teenagers. As we were in “The Hills” surrounded by trees and properties of acreage, I’d hedged my bets and hoped at least a few of these bright, young minds would know something about the food they eat.

3 A career in science doesn’t have to be “medical”, it can also cover the unexplored world of Phytopathology, plant disease epidemiology or pathosystem genetics.

Hydrologist Ecologist R&D Agri-Scientist Biosecurity Officer Geneticist Food Technology Scientist Food Safety Consultant Environmental Consultant

Legislation and Policy Advocate Export Market Consultant International Market Analyst Agribusiness Lawyer QA Regulatory & Compliance Consultant Financial Analyst/Consultant Commodity Trader Horticultural Economist Sales Representative Environmental Advocate Innovation Strategist Science

Business/Law/ Economics

GROWER

Maths/Engineering/ Technology

?Other

Environmental Engineer Mechanical Engineer Precision Agriculture Technician Electrician Surveyor Transportation and Logistics AgTech Technician Mechanic

Ag School Teacher University Lecturer Horticulture Training Advisor Journalism Design and Fashion

You???

FIGURE 1. HORTICULTURE POSSIBILITIES Source: Career Avenues for Horticulture

To my delight, the three sneaky Hort facts I had sourced (including the difference between a green and red Capsicum being simply — maturity and chlorophyll degradation) didn’t fool the kids for a second…unlike a couple of my adult colleagues. So far so good! I threw a picture of the “Spud King” and me looking delightful in my wet weather slicks into the presentation, as a reference point of what Horticulture really looks like and I’m pleased to say Ms G was an instant hit. I went on to introduce the idea that a career in science doesn’t have to be “medical”, it can also cover the unexplored world of Phytopathology, plant disease epidemiology or pathosystem genetics. Just as Maths, Engineering and Technology aren’t only for the Elon Musk’s of the world. I know from experience, the sweet relief of seeing Mr Mal the Mechanic’s ute pull up at the gate just as the “Ol’ Girls” Business/Law/Economics hydraulics carked! When it comes to business, law and economics the industry would grind to a halt without the QA regulators, commodity traders or policy advocates that support the Growers from afar. I was there to tell them why Horticulture is a career path they should definitely consider and…they seemed to actually pay attention. At the end there was the obligatory “Thanks Miss” and “Thanks for your time, Miss”, but there was one young man who was the last to leave. As he walked past me, he stopped and said Other “That was really good. Thanks a lot, you know…you should be a teacher”.

Rather than tell you the thoughts that went through my mind at his suggestion of my own career change, I’ll leave you with the words I finished my presentation with…

“I dare you to show me an industry that would allow a feral, often barefoot, occasionally foul mouthed, truck driving farm girl to stand as the link between its stakeholders and the wider community, including the impressionable minds of the next generation, to speak of its benefits and importance. I’m living the dream!”

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Sam Grubiša, phone (08) 9486 7515 or email sam.grubisa@vegetableswa.com.au