Student Opportunities
Join the Plant Sciences Club!
Students who enjoy learning about plants should definitely join the Plant Sciences Club listserv! This group holds fun planty events (hikes, plant swaps, trivia) and publicizes cool employment opportunities and ways to get involved in plant research on campus. To join this listserv, send an email to plant-sciences-club-group+subscribe@cats.ucsc.edu.
Greenhouse Work Opportunities for Students
Are you a student who loves plants and wants to further their plant care knowledge? We employ students with work-study during the school year and students without work study over the summer intersession period. We rely on our student Greenhouse Assistants to help care for campus research, restoration, and instructional plants. This position involves plant care, facility maintenance, and following detailed watering routines. Apply online in UCSC’s hiring platform, Handshake. Search for Greenhouse Assistant; if we are hiring, you’ll see it there. You can also get in touch with greenhouse staff (email greenhouse@ucsc.edu) to let us know you’re interested.
Volunteering
We appreciate enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to work and want to learn about plants and their care. Email Laura Palmer (ldpalmer@ucsc.edu) to be added to our volunteer mailing list where we will inform you of upcoming volunteer opportunities. We typically pick one weekday each quarter to hold group volunteer hours.
In the past, volunteers have undertaken activities such as weeding and propagating our instructional collection, transplanting seedlings for restoration projects, and tending to special collections like our orchids and carnivorous plants.
Internships
The UCSC Greenhouses currently sponsor 3 fantastic internships through the Environmental Studies Internship Program.
- Rare Plant Conservation in the UCSC Greenhouses
- Sandhills Restoration with local ecologist Jodi McGraw
- San Vicente Redwoods Restoration
View internship requirements and descriptions and apply here!
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
UCSC is an outstanding university in that it promotes undergraduate participation in many research areas. Students can connect with graduate students and faculty to find out more about getting involved in their research. Many students hear of these opportunities through their plant science coursework, or through the Plant Sciences Club listserv announcements when graduate students are searching for assistance with their research projects.
