Graduate Profile – Rose Walters ’19

Have you often wondered where graduates end up after they finish at the School of Horticulture? Or curious what career options are available in the industry? In our monthly series we’ll highlight a different graduate every month to showcase the diversity. We’ll be sharing the full inside look here on our website!

Say Hello to Rose Walters, Class of 2019!

Mandalay Estates, Gardener/Groundskeeper

Q: Where do you currently work and what position do you hold?

A: I currently work for Mandalay Estates as a gardener/groundskeeper. I am currently in mulch purgatory as I do an initial cleanup, edging, and mulching of the beds on 3 separate properties. I also have a side business – Rose’s Roots Landscaping Maintenance and Design – that I do maintenance, design consult, design, permitting consult etc. for. I’m partnered with Design Hub Landscape Group as a horticulture consultant as well!

 I’m very much enjoying the instant gratification of 

weeding and mulching right now and leaving things looking so much better than I found them!

Q: How would you describe your experience entering the industry after graduation?

A: It was very smooth! I got [a] job at Wentworth after interning there in 2018. At the end of my internship they offered me a job…!

Q: What challenges have you faced and overcome in your career after graduation?

Mostly the challenges I’ve faced are battling imposter syndrome. It’s hard to enter profession that is male dominated and prove to others and yourself that you really know your stuff and have a lot of value to add to the conversations about landscaping. I’m very grateful for the support of some of my coworkers who have bolstered me up in my low points and have called me out when needed! 

Q: What is a fond memory from your days at the gardens?

A: I really enjoyed the aquatics greenhouse. I had a lot of really good times there with my fellow Aquatics electivees and it was one of the few places where we could blast the radio, be out of the public eye, and just really have fun with the work. Mind you it was very…. fragrant… work with aquatic plants and repotting them but it was still fun with the company!

Thank you Rose for sharing your journey so far with us!

If you would like to be featured here and inspire the next generation make sure to complete our graduate survey here: https://forms.gle/pt2MPgJsALYdf1b3A.