Student Career Days: Spring Break Reinvented

When most college students plan their spring breaks, they think about fun in the sun. Once again this year, hundreds of green industry students are going to be spending their time away from the classroom outside in the sun and fresh air – but don’t expect them to be sitting around doing nothing. This year’s Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days is where landscape and horticulture students get to show off their talents as “Smart Kids Doing Green Things," on their spring break holiday.

The 29th Annual PLANET Student Career Days comes to University of Maryland in College Park, Md. this year from March 19 through 22. STIHL is recognized as the top Platinum sponsor of the event, donating $30,000 to each year’s program.

The four-day event is more informally known as the "Landscaper Olympics," where 50 different schools representing the U.S. and Canada bring more than 900 students to compete in the field where they will eventually pursue a career.

These career days not only prepare these college seniors for jobs upon graduation, but test their competitive skills in the fields of arboriculture, horticulture and landscape design, all while encompassing sales and marketing aspects.

Be sure to visit Lawn & Landscape, official media sponsor of the event, on the Web as Student Career Days unfolds over the upcoming weekend. Find out how your alma mater fares and see what both professionals and students participating in the career fair and competitive events think of the program.