These scenarios are options we face daily as grounds managers and citizens. The results we get are in direct proportion to the effort we exert. As a side note, it takes less resources to do it right the first time.

In approaching your career do you throw the seed and hope for the best? Or are you constantly upgrading your grasp of appropriate tools, technology, methodology and materials to get the desired results? I?EUR??,,????'???d like to share with you a few of the experiences that have helped me cultivate my career to this point:

My career in the Green Industry initially began as a student at George Mason University paying for college tuition by mowing lawns and providing other handyman services. As requests for more advanced horticultural services came in, I had to conduct more research to learn how to perform them. An interest and enjoyment for such learning led me to pursue a career in the industry.

As a young professional, I initially got involved in the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) by attending educational seminars conducted by its local DC Branch in the mid 80?EUR??,,????'???s. As I got a little older and a whole lot wiser, I became a PGMS member upon realizing that I needed access to the information and network of peers the society provides in order to take my business to the next level. It was one of the best decisions I?EUR??,,????'???ve made in my career. I have benefited considerably though my association with PGMS and have helped many individuals in return. Whether it was writing a snow contract, selecting an appropriate tree for a location, or how to balance family and work; these are all topics I have discussed with fellow members.

While I attribute much of my success to hard work (we reap what we sow), PGMS membership also played a role. First, it gave me a goal to strive towards: Professionalism. Secondly, the various publications, salary survey and others have served me as valuable tools. Third, the educational opportunities the Society provides are the only in the Green Industry that are targeted at in-house grounds professionals and have been invaluable. Finally, the network of contacts that membership provides is priceless as I can quickly gather the information I need at any time from a group of experts.