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When seeking employment, what do college graduates look for in a company? The answer, of course, will vary from student to student, yet at the top of most of their lists is “a company with a good reputation,” according to Brad Rowe, PhD, Associate Professor of Horticulture at Michigan State University. “I encourage our horticulture students to look for companies with high professional standards and to be especially aware of what recruiters say and how they act during interviews.” As Rowe points out, a student can learn just as much about a prospective employer during an interview as the employer can learn about the student.

A company’s support of ALCA’s certification program is an important indicator of its commitment to the profession and the industry, he adds. “I tell students that if a company believes in certification or otherwise supports an employee’s intellectual and career growth, then chances are the company will be a good place to work. ‘The more people certified, the better,’ I say to them.”

When Jennifer Buck, recruiting director for Chapel Valley Landscape Company in Woodbine, Maryland, asked summer interns what they look for in a company, many of them indicated that variety is important. The students agreed that a company that is diversified has a better chance of hiring and retaining them than a company that is more “one-dimensional.” The interns also prefer a company that has employees of various ages. As Buck explains, “Ideally, they would like the best of both worlds — people their own age with whom they can identify and older, experienced workers who would be willing to share their wisdom.”

Four years out of college, Buck says that she can identify with student expectations. “Opportunity for variety and growth are prime considerations for graduates, today,” she emphasizes, adding quickly that first-time job seekers are also looking for a little excitement. “They want companies to be excited about them. That is precisely how I felt when I started here, and Chapel Valley made me feel welcome. Graduates also put a premium on working with motivated individuals at or near their own age.”

Mark Brill, a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in horticulture, agrees with Buck that people and variety are important considerations when looking at a company. “I don’t want to work for a huge company,” says Brill, who just completed an internship with Bozzuto Landscaping Company in Laurel, Maryland. “I am looking for a people-oriented, midsize company that will give me a taste of everything. I really want some variety in my first job.”

Rowe notes that graduates who are looking for variety also tend to look for opportunity. “Granted, students have different expectations. While some are extremely confident in their abilities and want to start off in management-track positions, others are more cautious and would rather truly experience every facet of maintaining lawns and installing and designing landscapes before assuming managerial positions.”

Rowe continues, “The key for companies is to have opportunities available for college graduates and to encourage them to take advantage of these opportunities.” Is money an issue? Sure it is, he adds, especially for horticulture students who may have had an engineering roommate who will likely make $60,000 to $70,000 the first year out of school. Presumably, graduates are aware of economic realities before choosing a career path.   “If making money is a top priority for students, I advise them to look for bigger companies that have more resources than their small counterparts,” Rowe emphasizes. “If gaining experience in the various aspects of running a business is important, then smaller, family-run companies may be the better choice.”

Students have other motivators, too. When Yuko Frazier, graphic landscape designer for Initial Tropical Plants, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, graduated five years ago, she knew precisely what she wanted to do. She wanted to work for an interior landscaping company that would allow her to develop her design skills. “At the time, I didn’t care where I worked or what size company I worked for,” she explains. “I was fortunate to be hired by a large company because it gave me the opportunity to concentrate on what I wanted to do.” This fall, Frazier will begin honing her design skills further when she returns to school part-time to earn a master’s degree in landscape architecture.

What do students want in a company? The answer depends on the student, with the following disclaimer. When recruiting, a company with a good reputation, growth opportunities, and a “young” attitude will likely have a leg up on the competition. Martha Hill, department chair for landscape management at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, adds, “We encourage our students to look closely at the growth opportunities within a company and to look at the benefits, particularly those that support continuing education. Especially when graduating from a two-year school, students will likely want to continue their education. Offering to help out in that endeavor makes a company that much more attractive.” 

By Rod Dickens, ALCA Contributing Writer