Work Experience at Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum
Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (OBGA) is passionate about supporting the next generation of botanists, plant scientists and horticulturalists.
As part of a placement with OBGA, work experience students will learn about the following:
- The role of a botanic garden and how it differs to other managed landscapes, such as parks
- The role of plants in a modern world
- Current conservation and research programmes underway at OBGA
There is scope to make a placement more suited to a student’s interests, whether they would like to focus on horticulture experience, public engagement experience or a blend.
Students more interested in horticulture might expect:
- Time with the glasshouse collections
- Time with the hardy collections
- Experience propagating plants
- General collection maintenance experience
Students more interested in public engagement might expect:
- Time spent online researching plant science, and particular plants, linked to a topic that will be chosen with their supervising staff member
- Time converting information into different educational resources, such as games, posters, leaflets, trails or blog posts
- To develop a deeper understanding of communicating and engaging with different audiences about botany and plant sciences
- To support education or public engagement delivery
A blended work experience placement could incorporate a mix of these goals and objectives.
Expectations
If working outside, work experience students must come prepared with appropriate, waterproof and comfortable clothing. Inductions and health and safety training will be given where appropriate for certain tasks. There may be days where general site maintenance, such as sweeping leaves or assisting with watering are required.
Space is limited in the office at Oxford Botanic Garden. If working with the education and public engagement team, a desk and computer cannot be guaranteed. If you have your own device you are welcome to bring this with you. iPads can be made available to support those who do not have their own device to use. You must be prepared to work flexibly and be self-motivated to get the most out of this placement.
How to apply
To register your interest, please click the button below to contact us. Include your name, school, school year, and preferred dates within the email. A member of the team will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Applications for this academic year are now closed.
We welcome enquiries about work experience placements at Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum from September 2024 - July 2025.
