What is a plant pathologist and how to become one

Key steps to become a plant pathologist

1. Explore plant pathologist education requirements

   Most common plant pathologist degrees

   Bachelor's

   45.9 %

   Doctorate

   21.6 %

   Master's

   21.6 %

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2. Start to develop specific plant pathologist skills

   Skills	Percentages
   Plant Pathology	32.19%
   Molecular Biology	15.58%
   Pathogens	15.23%
   USDA	12.86%
   Harvest	11.51%

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3. Complete relevant plant pathologist training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plant pathologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a plant pathologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plant pathologist resumes.

4. Research plant pathologist duties and responsibilities

   • Supervise and manage pathology, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory.
   • Work with greenhouse and field crew personnel in a plant research and seed production environment.
   • Identify the compounds using NMR, IR, and mass spectral data.
   • Supervise the whole agricultural operation including guayule shrub planting, production, and harvest.

5. Apply for plant pathologist jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a plant pathologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams