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Alumni Career Feature – Wendy (Hutzell) Peaytt

• whutzell@cheekwood.org
• Tennessee Botanical Gardens at Cheekwood
• A.A.S., Landscape Nursery Technology, 1998

How did you choose your present career? Please explain how you decided to major in your area of study during college.

My career chose me. Since I was a little girl, I loved plants. I went to a vocational technical high school and studied horticulture. It was directly related to my current field. I knew I enjoyed the field and wanted to learn more about it; it really intrigued me.

What advice do you have to offer to a student who is struggling with identification of a major/career field in college?

"Find something you enjoy doing and find a way to make money at it" - your career is something you are going to do the rest of your life. If you don't enjoy doing your job now, you won't enjoy it 15 years from now.

How were you hired at your present position?

Originally I went to Nashville for another job interview but that didn't work out. I fell in love with the area and saw that it was growing. I decided to move to Nashville. After getting here and settling in, I looked in the newspaper and found this job. I applied for the job and within a week, I was hired.

What positions did you hold before this one?

I worked during high school in a co-op position as a horticulturist at a golf course. I worked there for three years and then went to another golf course as a horticulturist.

What would you tell a Penn College graduating student about your career field?

Be confident. Go into interviews with a positive outlook. Don't be afraid to brag about yourself a little; no one is going to do it for you. In this field you are doing a variety of jobs from mowing grass, to planting seedlings or mulching. Don't limit yourself to one specialized area.

What was the most significant thing you learned on the job during your first year?

Teamwork. I hadn't worked with co-workers that were so closely knit. Learning to be part of a work team is just as important as learning to work alone.

What was most difficult about your transition to the world of work?

There weren't a lot of job opportunities that interested me in southwestern Pennsylvania, so I needed to move to out of state to pursue my career. I now live in a warmer climate so the job opportunities in my field are more abundant.

What was the greatest strength of your Penn College/Williamsport Area Community College education? (What did you learn at Penn College that helped you a great deal in your career?)

Plant identification, insect and disease identification, labs from my major - I use something from my classes every day. I work with people who have bachelor's and master's degrees. They ask me questions and I'm able to answer because I had hands-on experience at school.

What should students in your field do to prepare themselves for their career?

Learn as much as you can while in school. The instructors will teach you what you need to know. Ask questions!!!

What do you find the most enjoyable about your career field and your present position?

Being outside. I like watching everything as it literally "blossoms." I get to see the fruits of my labor. I have great co-workers.

How do you see your field changing in the next three to five years? Will this change require you to obtain additional training?

I think there will be a lot more computer technology specifically with designs and plant information. The industry Web sites will continue to be developed. I use a lot of them all the time. Staying up-to-date through books, seminars and the Internet will be important.

What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in three years?

I just want to continue in my career. In the horticulture field I am fulfilled and learning something everyday.

If you could redo your college experience, how/would you prepare differently to enter the workplace?

The only thing I would do differently is send out my resume and schedule interviews sooner. By doing that you have a better chance at jobs.

From your perspective, what are three to five needed skills that your employer was seeking in a new employee?

Employees need to know plant identification, a good knowledge of pruning and landscape maintenance, be able to work independently and be able to follow directions.

Have you received any special recognition or awards through your employment or professional organizations to which you belong?

I did two TV segments - Talk of the Town (news program) and one for a gardening special on cable TV. I have taught classes at my work.