A pomologist is a person who studies fruits and nuts, and has an active hand in researching various aspects of the life cycles of those organisms. In order to become a pomologist, you will need to complete a high school education or equivalent qualification while demonstrating an aptitude in various types of sciences, particularly life sciences. Once you graduate from high school, you will need to continue onto college in order to become a pomologist. As a college student, you can choose a few different majors that will be relevant to the field of pomology, including botany, biology, life sciences, and environmental studies.
Chemistry and even mathematics are good fields of study while you are in college, though you will probably benefit the most from a degree in botany. While you may be able to become a pomologist after earning a bachelor's degree, most professionals in the field go on to earn a master's degree or higher qualification in order to be competitive in the field. In fact, most researchers will generally hold a PhD, as employers may require such qualifications. It is a good idea to decide on your career goals so you can figure out how much education you will need to become a pomologist.
Once you complete your education and become a pomologist, you will have several career options. You may choose to work as an instructor or professor at a college or university, will you will be afforded the opportunity to share your knowledge with others while working on your own research in the field, often alongside other pomologists and scientific experts. If you choose this route, it is a good idea to take some teaching courses and develop a sense of whether teaching is the right path for you. Otherwise, consider a job in the private sector.
You can become a pomologist who works for food manufacturers, food study groups, or other private groups with some sort of investment in food production. This will give you an opportunity to study various aspects of pomology, from improvements in food production to an analysis of various chemicals or practices on the growth of fruits and nuts. You can even get involved with cutting-edge research regarding improved growing, production, safety, and protection of fruits and nuts. Some pomologists even strive to find better ways to manage nutrients within foods that are grown specifically for sale and consumption.