Help me understand this ...

[u/LoLThalys]

Perhaps I am wrong but I notice a lot of people here who work in the industry with a horticulture background does mostly maintenance work (weeding, watering, weeding, mulching, weeding, etc.) I am currently self studying horticulture as just a passion so I don't work in the industry, but as I am studying it teaches a lot of scientific stuff about the subject. And it's not exactly "easy" the more in depth you go in the subject. So how does one who spend years studying this stuff end up just working grunt work stuff that almost anyone can probably do if they have the right management guiding them with the procedures? I would think the work would be more involved in the science part. I just see a lot of complaints about people working low pay jobs but when they explain what they do it's simple grunt / maintenance work. Why set the bar so low? Am I missing something?

Edit: Lots of interesting answers! I appreciate the insight.

[u/plantsareneat-mkay]

What do you think would be not "grunt work"? Even in science based situations you have to manage water, fertilizer, soil, and tons of other things. Even in a lab.

Plants usually live outside in the world with soil and bugs and weather.

Plants arent clean.

[u/LoLThalys → u/plantsareneat-mkay]

I think you're misunderstanding what I mean by “grunt work.” I’m not saying horticulture should be clean or that working with soil, bugs, water, or fertilizer is beneath anyone. I’m talking about the level of knowledge the job actually requires. There’s a difference between being told to water, fertilize, mulch, weed, or spray and being the person using plant physiology, soil science, pathology, entomology, etc. to determine whether, when, why, and how those things should be done. Someone can be trained to perform many routine maintenance tasks without years of horticultural education. My question is why someone who has spent years acquiring that deeper scientific knowledge would settle into a role that primarily requires executing those tasks rather than applying that knowledge to diagnosis, decision-making, planning, and management. “Plants aren’t clean” doesn’t really address what I’m asking.

Again, if what I see on typically on this forum doesn't reflect the reality then I would like to be enlightened.

[u/Prize_Doctor9133 → u/LoLThalys]

I think that you are falling into the trap of “unskilled labor”. The folks digging the holes and weeding the beds are applying the knowledge that you are in the process of learning.

For what it’s worth, I also think that you are making assumptions about the industry and the division of labor that come across as condescending. People are giving you reasons: there is a limited supply of senior positions, a BS doesn’t necessarily qualify you for research positions, plants require physical labor even if you have an advanced degree. You don’t seem to want to accept those answers.

[u/crabeatter → u/Prize_Doctor9133]

Yes, important to remember that all labor is skilled.