Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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www.landscapeirrigation.com June 2014 Landscape and Irrigation 11 by 44 percent over last year and the number of industry sponsors nearly doubled this year. "The industry was out in full force to support Student Career Days. There were many more recruiting companies as well as sponsors this year," said PLANET SCD Subcommittee Chair, Ed Furner, Landscape Industry Certified. "The economy has picked up, and that is evident in the number of companies who want to recruit these students." Student Career Days is sponsored by Stihl Inc., at the Platinum level; John Deere at the Gold level; Caterpillar Inc., Gravely, Husqvarna, and New Holland Construction at the Silver level; and Anchor Wall Systems, Inc., Belgard, Terracare Associates, The Toro Company, and ValleyCrest Landscape Companies at the Bronze level. Student Career Days is organized by The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), which has a long history of supporting students who are studying to enter the landscape industry. The association offers student members, job boards, internships, scholarships, and training opportunities, as well as an opportunity to compete in its signature event-Student Career Days. Student Career Days got its start in 1975 when horticulture professors at Ohio State University, Michigan State, and Mississippi State proposed a competition between their students. Mississippi State University hosted the first event, which included five schools: Ohio State, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Mississippi State. The event has continued to grow throughout the years. Today, approximately 60 colleges attend, with more than 800 students competing in nearly 30 events. Student Career Days is a learning experience; a competition to show off the students' skills in areas such as tree climbing, patio building, identifying horticulture specimens, skid-steer operation, sales presentation, exterior/interior design, irrigation troubleshooting, and wood construction; and a career event that allows recruiters from approximately 50 companies to interview students for jobs. The recruiting process for students is highly competitive. Even during economic recessions, lawn, landscape, tree care, and irrigation companies struggle with a shortage of well-educated potential employees. Because of that shortage, students graduating from college horticulture and landscape programs have jobs waiting for them. "We have surveyed our accredited schools, and we know that nearly 100 percent of students have jobs upon graduation," said Lisa Schaumann, PLANET director of public relations. The annual event also includes the awarding of tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships presented each year by the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF). Many former Student Career Days participants now have leadership roles at PLANET. For example, Ed Furner, chair of Student Career Days, is a former student participant. About Student Career Days "We have surveyed our accredited schools, and we know that nearly 100 percent of students have jobs upon graduation," said Lisa Schaumann, PLANET director of public relations.