Carrie, I think that is an excellent way to start. The knowledge you will gain can only help you in your pursuit of a "green" career. The health insurance and year round employment are definatley a big plus. The other option might be a nursery, but if your in the city, that's going to be a good drive everyday. Most jobs at a nursery are not going to be all year either, but you make up for that with more, in depth plant knowledge.

Kirk

I got my start by working in garden centers and nurseries. I got a good foundation for sales and customer relations by the experience. The money isn't all that great and it is a lot of back breaking hard work. But I don't regret it at all. After all, getting paid for recieving an education is always a good thing.

Thank you both! I start in a couple of weeks. When I talked to my mom about the low wages - significantly less than I've been making even at low paying non profits, she said "think of it as tuition". That's what I'm doing. Oh, and I do get health insurance and it will be year-round. They do a big business in cut flower arrangements/house plants/weddings etc. Woohoo!

I just started working at a garden center (formerly an admin in a big corp.). I agree, it's back breaking, low paying and not full-time but you'll learn alot and it's such a nice work environment. I plan to fall back on my other career when I'm cut back for the hot summer season.

Working in a nursery is a great way to learn about plants, the industry, and build your network. Additionally, I suggest that once you get comfortable in your job, you investigate taking some horticulture classes at a local community college.