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Contact: Sherry MacDonald
Phone: (703) 736-9666
E-mail: sherrymacdonald@landcarenetwork.org

For Immediate Release

BENEFITS OF HOSTING STUDENT CAREER DAYS

HERNDON, Va., September 5, 2006 — Since 1977, Student Career Days (SCD) has grown to become the largest recruitment event in the industry, offering both recruiters and students a great opportunity to further their future success. SCD is an annual three-day competitive event among students enrolled in horticulture programs from colleges and universities across the country. Participants have the chance to compete in events that are directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the green industry. The event also offers a Career Fair, which gives the students the opportunity to meet prospective employers in the industry and discuss employment opportunities.

SCD leaves a lasting impact on the school that hosts it. This year Brigham Young University (BYU) hosted PLANET’s 30th annual SCD. Since hosting the event, BYU has gained exposure for their landscape management programs and has seen tremendous growth in their program and in the local green industry companies.

“SCD had a wonderful impact on our program,” explains Greg Jolley, RLA, professor of landscape management at BYU. “Hosting the event gave our students the opportunity to get close to the industry, to develop a one-on-one relationship with industry leaders.” He adds, “Our department gained invaluable exposure. Our program was highlighted on campus because of the quantity of faculty members and students from across the country that were there to participate in SCD. Also, this was a great way to market our program and give students the opportunity to find out about our landscape management program and what internships and careers companies offer in the green industry.”

The effects of hosting SCD go beyond the campus of BYU and reach out into the community by providing students and local green industry companies the opportunity to increase their awareness of the green industry and how to become leaders within it. “The size and diversity of industry companies present at SCD leaves an incredible first impression with students,” says Jolley. He points out that by attending SCD, students are able to gain a better understanding of the green industry and the numerous avenues and opportunities that careers in the green industry can bring them. Students come away with great enthusiasm for the green industry and it spills over to industry attendees and recruiters who see the students as future leaders of the green industry. Local green industry companies that surround the BYU area also benefit from attending the event. Jolley says, “The green industry here in Utah is not as highly developed as it is in other areas of the country. Attending the event gave local green industry owners and operators a better perspective of their potential for growth.”

Jolley feels that a school will be successful hosting SCD with early involvement and buy in of the key people that are in charge of the various SCD agendas, including the competitions, workshops, and opening and closing ceremonies. He continues, “Make sure to involve your students in the planning process. Doing so will have a pull through effect and get other students both inside and outside your program charged up to help with volunteer and coordination efforts.” Jolley emphasizes that it is important to remember to thank the industry sponsors. “Without our sponsors help, it just wouldn’t be possible to host this event.”

For more information about SCD, please visit www.studentcareerdays.org, contact Sherry MacDonald at sherrymacdonald@landcarenetwork.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET represents approximately 4,400 green industry service-provider companies and suppliers nationwide that specialize in lawn care, design/build/installation, interior plantscaping, and landscape management. These firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.