Question
dear mr. hyland,

my name is chet murthy, and for a career exploration project in biology, and i would like to ask you some questions regarding your expertise. if you could answer them, i would appreciate it very much.

1) what is needed to become a plant disease expert? (diplomas, reqs, etc...)

2) What do you anticipate the requirements for the job will be in 5 to 10 years?

3) What is the remuneration of and other benfits of the job?

4) Other benefits (traveling, professional courtesy, etc.)

5) What biological concepts are utilized in this job?

6) What is the work routine for your job?

If possible, could you please sent me addresses with info on your job for extra information?

Thank you very much for your time

Chet

Answer
1. The education requirement for a Pathologist or Entomologist is generally at least a BS in Plant Pathology or Entomology. The "expert" part comes with experiance.
2. In the future the requirements will more than likely require a higher education say at least a MS or maybe PhD.
3. If you are asking about salary--it will depend on the education level and experiance.
4. Travel will vary with the season and pest out breaks--other benefits come in peer review of a job well done.
5. Dealing with just the insect or disease is simple BUT when you add in the different plants, their ecology, weather conditions, environmental biology, people the "concept" gets difficult at times BUT putting the "puzzle" together is rewarding.
6. With living plant and animals there is seldom a "routine". One has to go with the flow and work on thing as they come up. Of course you can prepare by getting survey techniques ready to use when the time comes. Work is split between office and the field say 25% office 75% field in the spring and summer and 75% office and 25% field in the winter months.
You can check the Entomological Society of America for more details at:http://www.entsoc.org/
OR the Plant Pathology site at:http://www.apsnet.org/